Level 4 (like Grade 4) · Unit 16 of 24

Simple chords: triads

Three notes stacked in 3rds make a triad – the building block of harmony.

By the end you will be able to:

build a triad on any note of a major scale
name the primary chords I, IV and V
write tonic, subdominant and dominant triads

Learn

Building a triad

A triad has three notes: a root, the 3rd above it and the 5th above it. On the staff they are stacked line-line-line or space-space-space, like a snowman. A major triad has a major 3rd and a perfect 5th (C–E–G); a minor triad has a minor 3rd and a perfect 5th (A–C–E).

Chords I, IV and V in C major.

Roman numerals

Chords are named by the scale note they are built on, with Roman numerals: I on the key note, IV on the 4th note, V on the 5th. In a major key, I, IV and V are major triads – the primary chords. Many songs use just these three.

In a key

Use the key signature for the notes of each chord. In G major, chord V is D–F♯–A, because F is always sharp in G major. In minor keys, chord V uses the raised 7th (in A minor, V is E–G♯–B).

Your turn

Watch and listen, then practice with new questions every time – reading questions, and writing tasks you answer on the staff. Take the check when you are ready: 80% passes the unit.

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Level 4 is like Grade 4 music theory. These are Classfern’s own levels, not an exam board’s. Questions are made and graded by rules in your browser.