Triads (3 notes that make a chord)
- Diminished triad is Root, minor third and diminished fifth
- Minor triad is Root, minor third and perfect fifth
- Major triad is Root, major third and perfect fifth
- Augmented triad is Root, major third and augmented fifth.
You can also think of the triads as two stacked intervals:
- Diminished triad is a minor third plus a minor third
- Minor triad is a minor third plus a major third
- Major triad is a major third plus a minor third
- Augmented triad is a major third plus a major third
If you can locate these intervals, you should be able to identify any triad, regardless of inversion, or build any desired triad.
Inversions
- If the root is the lowest note, the triad is in root position.
- If the third is the lowest note, the triad is in first inversion.
- If the fifth is the lowest note, the triad is in second inversion.
Each of these retains the basic quality in terms of sounds, but had a unique flavour based upon the lowest note changing. Modifying the base note will weaken the effect of a triad, but provide for more smooth voice leading options.
Another way to think of the inversions is as stacked intervals.
- Root position triads are also called 53 as there is a third and a fifth above the base note.
- First inversion triads are called 63 as there is a sixth and a third above the base note.
- Second inversion triads are called 64 as there is a sixth and a fourth above the base note.
You should be able to play any flavor triad, any place on the neck.
Suspensions & 7ths
A suspension simply replaces the third with either a major second or a perfect fourth.
- A seventh adds the seventh degree of the scale.
- Diminished seventh has the root, minor third, diminished fifth and a diminished seventh. Your colour scheme does not include this as it is an enharmonic equivalent for the major sixth, it is just spelled differently.
- Minor seventh flat five, or half diminished seventh has a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and a minor seventh.
- Minor seventh has a root, minor third, perfect fifth and minor seventh.
- The little used minor/major seventh or Spider-Man chord had a root, minor third, perfect fifth and major seventh.
- Dominant seventh has the root, major third, perfect fifth and a minor seventh.
- Major seventh has the root, major third, perfect fifth and the major seventh.
- Augmented seventh has the root, major third, augmented fifth and major seventh.