Triads and Chord Progressions

Question 1

Define

Chord

Answer 1

Two or more, typically three, notes that are the song’s building blocks built from scales and set the melody structure

Question 2

Define

Triad

Answer 2

a three-note chord arranged in intervals of thirds

Question 3

Define

Major Triad

Answer 3

a chord consisting of three notes: a root, a major third above the root, and a perfect fifth above the root

Question 4

Name the notes in a C major triad

What is the root, and what are the other notes relationship to the root?

Answer 4

Root C, Major Third E, and Perfect Fifth G

Question 5

How are triads named?

Answer 5

For their root and quality.

Question 6

True or False

There are triads of all interval qualities

Answer 6

False: There are no perfect triads.

Question 7

Define

Root

Answer 7

The lowest note on which the chord is built

Question 8

What is the difference between the root and the tonic?

Answer 8

The root is the reference note for a chord.
The tonic is the reference note for a key.

Question 9

What is the triad quality determined by?

Answer 9

The quality of intervals that comprise it, namely the type of third and fifth it contains.

Question 10

What intervals does a major third consist of? What color is it?

Answer 10

Consists of major third and perfect fifth; happy

Question 11

What intervals does a minor triad consist of? What color is it?

Answer 11

Consists of minor third and perfect fifth; sad

Question 12

What intervals does a diminished triad consist of? What color is it?

Answer 12

Consists of minor third and diminished fifth; tense and dissonant

Question 13

What intervals does an augmented triad consist of? What color is it?

Answer 13

Consists of major third and augmented fifth; other worldly and dreamy

Question 14

Why is a triad in C major with D as the root called a two (ii) minor triad?

Answer 14

Because it’s built on the second note of the C major scale

Question 15

Which is the only triad that does not naturally occur in the major scale? What does it consist of?

Answer 15

An augmented third, which consists of a root, major third, and augmented fifth (raised fifth).

Question 16

Define

First inversion

What is its color?

Answer 16

A triad with the third in the bass; sweet, unstable color

Question 17

Define

Second inversion

What is it’s color?

Answer 17

A triad with the fifth in the bass; more unstable color

Question 18

Why do augmented thirds defy inversion?

Answer 18

Their symmetrical interval structure (two major thirds stacked on top of one another) maintains consistent spacing and tonality, making them sound the same in any position.

Question 19

Why are inversions powerful songwriting tools?

Answer 19

They can change a song’s sound and energy, inspire new melodies, and add harmonic variety.

Question 20

Define

Chord voicing

Answer 20

The way the notes of a chord are arranged, including their order, spacing, and placement across instruments or voices; It shapes the mood by altering the texture and harmonic character of chords

Question 21

Define

Chord shape

Answer 21

The density, or space between notes in the chord

Question 22

How does changing the shape of a chord affect its harmony?

Answer 22

It alters the feel and density of the harmony without changing the chord’s quality.

Question 23

Define

Close voicing

Answer 23

Playing chord notes closer together; high density

Question 24

Why is root position considered the most dense voicing?

Answer 24

It has the least amount of space between the notes

Question 25

# Define Open Voicing

Answer 25

Spreading more space between chord notes

Question 26

How do inversions affect the openness of a chord?

Answer 26

First and second inversions have more space between notes, making them sound more open. The openness increases as notes are spread further apart.

Question 27

What is a general rule of thumb for voicing deeper pitches?

Answer 27

The deeper the pitch, the more space it will need around it for clarity, avoiding muddiness

Question 28

# Define Doubling

Answer 28

Playing the same note in two or more different octaves to increase its presence in the harmony.

Question 29

What is the most common use of doubling?

Answer 29

Doubling the root note in the bass, such as in a bass guitar, left hand of a piano, or low string on a guitar.

Question 30

How is doubling used in orchestration?

Answer 30

Multiple instruments (e.g., trumpet, oboe, and glockenspiel) play the same pitch in unison to create a richer sound.

Question 31

# Define 8vb

Answer 31

Notation indicating notes are played one octave lower than written

Question 32

Why is chord voicing important for songwriters?

Answer 32

It helps shape the mood and feel of a song by altering the texture and harmonic character of chords.

Question 33

# Define Chord progression

Answer 33

A series of chords that establishes a sense of tonality founded on a key or tonic. It leads the listener to and from their musical "home."

Question 34

What is the main focus of most chord progressions?

Answer 34

To establish the tonic of a key and reinforce its scale.

Question 35

# True or False Most popular songs change key

Answer 35

False, in 20th and 21st-century popular music, most songs remain in the key they start in.

Question 36

# Define I-IV-V chord progression | What are the notes in C Major key? Name an example of a song.

Answer 36

A chord progression using the 1st, 4th, and 5th degrees of a major scale. It is the foundation of modern popular music, originating in blues and evolving into rock and roll. | In C Major Key: C Major, F Major, G Major. Example: La Bamba.

Question 37

# Define I-vi-IV-V chord progression | What are the chords in C major? Whats a song example?

Answer 37

It is called the doo-wop progression, a signature chord motion of 1950s & early 1960s doo-wop songs. | C Major, A Minor, F Major, G Major. Stand by Me, Baby by Bieber

Question 38

# Define I-V-vi-IV chord progression | What are the chords in C Major key?

Answer 38

a common and versatile chord progression that uses the 1st, 5th, 6th, & 4th degrees a major scale, often creating a catchy and slightly melancholic sound | C Major, G Major, A Minor, F Major

Question 39

Name a song that uses I-V-vi-IV chord progression

Answer 39

Don’t Stop Believing by Journey Where is the Love by The Black Eyed Peas Im Yours by Jason Mraz Can You Feel the Love Tonight by Elton John Paparazzi by Lady Gaga And She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5 Let It Be by The Beatles

Question 40

# Define ii-V-I chord progression | What are the chords in C major key?

Answer 40

commonly referred to as the ii-V-I turnaround, an ordered set of three chords built on the second, fifth, and first notes of the key; commonly used in jazz to temporarily imply passing tonalities as a smooth transition between keys | D Minor, G major, C Major

Question 41

# Define turnaround

Answer 41

A chord progression that leads from one section of a piece to another.

Question 42

What is The Great American Songbook?

Answer 42

A collection of the most important songs in American popular music focusing on the 1920s through the 1950s

Question 43

# Define Cadence

Answer 43

A fundamental chord progression that creates resolution, finality, or pause in music. It functions like musical punctuation, shaping how a phrase is perceived.

Question 44

What are the four main types of cadences?

Answer 44

Authentic Cadence Plagal Cadence Half Cadence Deceptive Cadence

Question 45

# Define Authentic Cadence | What are the chords in C Major?

Answer 45

The most common cadence in popular music, consisting of a V-I chord progression. It provides a strong sense of resolution and establishes the key. | G major to C Major

Question 46

# Define Tension and release

Answer 46

Harmonic motion in music is defined by tension (departure from the tonic) and release (return to the tonic). The strongest tension in a major key comes from the seventh scale degree, known as the leading tone.

Question 47

# Define Leading tone

Answer 47

The seventh note of a major scale that resolves a semitone higher or lower.

Question 48

# Name and define Two types of leading tones

Answer 48

Lower leading tones resolve up. Upper leading tones resolve down.

Question 49

# Define 8va

Answer 49

notation indicating notes are played one octave higher than written.

Question 50

What are the two types of authentic cadences?

Answer 50

Perfect Authentic Cadence (PAC) Imperfect Authentic Cadence (IAC)

Question 51

# Define Perfect Authentic Cadence

Answer 51

The strongest form of the authentic cadence. Occurs when the root of the V and I chords are in the bass and the tonic is the highest note in the I chord. This placement ensures a firm resolution, often used to end musical phrases definitively.

Question 52

# Define Imperfect Authentic Cadence

Answer 52

A weaker version of the authentic cadence. Occurs when the leading tone resolution happens in the inner voices of the chords rather than the highest voice; the V or I chord is in an inversion. This cadence still resolves but feels less final than a perfect authentic cadence.

Question 53

# Define Plagal Cadence | What is it in C major?

Answer 53

A plagal cadence, also known as the "amen cadence," is a harmonic progression where the IV (subdominant) chord resolves to the I (tonic) chord. It's commonly used to conclude hymns and has a warm but less final sound than an authentic cadence, due to the absence of a leading-tone resolution and the presence of the tonic in both chords. | The progression moves from F major to C major.

Question 54

# Define Double plagal cadence

Answer 54

A double plagal cadence occurs when two plagal cadences are strung together, effectively moving the song through two keys.

Question 55

# Define Half cadence

Answer 55

A half cadence ends a phrase or song on the V chord, denying the expected resolution to the I chord. This creates a sense of pause and incompleteness, similar to a musical question mark.

Question 56

# Define Deceptive Cadence | What is it in C major?

Answer 56

A deceptive cadence is a cadence that defies expectation by not resolving to the I chord. Instead, the V chord moves to the vi chord, tricking the ear with a resolution that lacks the finality of the authentic cadence. | The progression goes from a G chord (V) to an A minor chord (vi)

Question 57

How can a deceptive cadence be used as a pivot?

Answer 57

A deceptive cadence can be used to transition into a new section within a song, such as shifting a major key section to a more minor feel while remaining in the original key.

Question 58

What is the role of cadences in music?

Answer 58

Cadences structure musical phrases, similar to how grammar structures sentences. A thorough understanding of cadences helps shape pacing and manipulate the listener’s sense of key and resolution.