Spelling Triads

Question 1

three ways to quickly spell triad

Answer 1

• white key method
• key signature method
• build chords by interval patterns

Question 2

white key method

Answer 2

• 7 letters in white key
• C, G, F (naturally major)
• E, D, A (naturally minor)
• B (naturally diminished)
• adjustments from major:
• if root changes to sharp or flat but is still major, shift al the members the same way
• if it is from major to minor, lower the third 1 half step
• if it is from major to augmented, raise the fifth 1 half step
• adjustments from minor:
• from minor to major, we have to RAISE the third a half step
• form minor to diminished, we have to lower the fifth
• from minor to augmented, we have to raise the third AND the fifth
• adjustments from the diminished (B triad)
• diminished to diminished is the same method as the major to major
• diminished to major, we have to raise the third AND the fifth
• diminished to minor, we have to raise the fifth
• diminished to augmented, we have to raise the third AND raise the fifth TWICE (or a whole step)

Question 3

spelling triads from key signatures

Answer 3

• this method starts with the tonic triads in all 25 keys
• YOU MUST KNOW ALL KEY SIGNATURES TO USE THIS METHOD
• C major has no flats or sharps
• A minor has no flats or sharps
• Flat minor triads are :F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb
• Sharp major triads are : E, B, F#, C#, G#, D#, A#
• this system has no way to give you diminished or augmented systems

Question 4

spelling isolated triad method

Answer 4

• favorite by most students
• spell by key signature
• major triad s a major third on bottom then a minor third on top
• minor triad is a minor third on bottom and then major third on top
• diminished triad is 2 minor thirds stacked on top of each other
• augmented triad is 2 major thirds stacked on top of each other
• the only thing that matters is that you are fast and accurate, does not matter what method you use as long as the results are correct

Question 5

will you need to be proficient in spelling triads in both the treble and base clefs

Answer 5

• absolutely

Question 6

which of these is not a method to help you identify and spell triads quickly and accurately

Answer 6

• quality of 5ths

Question 7

in major key, how many chords are
major:
minor:
diminished:

Answer 7

• 3; 3; 1

Question 8

spell an E major triad

Answer 8

• E; G#; B

Question 9

building chords by interval patterns is a fast way to spell chords. how many 1/2 steps are in these intervals
minor 3rd: major 3rd:
1/2 steps in a diminshed chord:

Answer 9

• 3; 4; 7