Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Primary and Secondary Triads of the Major Scale

Triads of a scale can be divided into two groups: primary and secondary triads. The primarytriads are those
that are most closely related to the tonic: tonic, subdominant, and dominant. The secondarytriads are less
closely related to the tonic: supertonic, mediant, submediant, and leading tone.

Exercise 4—Class Exercise

Using the chord symbols written above each song, label the roman numerals beneath each chord. Remember:
when a chord symbol is not written at the beginning of a measure, continue the harmony of the previous measure.
Notice that only primary triads are used in these pieces. Sing each song with a piano or guitar accompaniment
playing the chords that are given; listen for the chord changes.

1. “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” traditional song

Using the chord symbols and roman numerals as shown in Exercise 2, label the roman numerals beneath each
chord in this song.

GM: I ___

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MODULE 13

MAJOR SCALE TRIADS

Primary triads Secondary triads

I Tonic ii Supertonic

IV Subdominant iii Mediant

V Dominant vi Submediant

vii°Leading tone

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