gen-briefly-explain-triads-and-chord-construction-and-one-common-a499

Briefly explain triads and chord construction and one common misconception about it.

# Triads and Chord Construction **Triads** are three-note chords built by stacking two intervals of a third on top of each other. Starting from a root note, you add: 1. The **root** (foundation) 2. The **third** (3 or 4 semitones above) 3. The **fifth** (7 semitones above the root) **Four basic triad types:** - **Major**: root + major 3rd + perfect 5th (happy sound) - **Minor**: root + minor 3rd + perfect 5th (sad sound) - **Diminished**: root + minor 3rd + diminished 5th (tense sound) - **Augmented**: root + major 3rd + augmented 5th (unsettled sound) ## Common Misconception **"You must play all three notes in strict order (root-third-fifth) for it to be a triad."** This is false! A triad maintains its identity regardless of: - **Voicing** (spacing between notes) - **Inversion** (which note is lowest) - **Doubling** (playing the same note in multiple octaves) For example, C-E-G, E-G-C, and G-C-E are all C major triads. The chord's quality is determined by the *intervals present*, not the ordering or octave placement of the notes.