Triads and Seventh Chords Chapter 7 Basic Elements

Triads and Seventh Chords Chapter 7

Basic Elements of Music If you had to identify the three most basic elements of music, they would probably be: 1. Scales (Chapters 4 and 5) 2. Intervals (Chapter 6) 3. Chords (Chapter 7)

What is a chord? A chord is a group of pitches that form a single harmonic idea. When we write chords, their pitches may sound all at once, or they may sound in succession. Key Concept - page 113

Triads l Triads are three pitch chords that are two thirds, one above the other. l Just like intervals, there are different triad qualities. l Triads in root position will either be a line-line or space-space.

Parts of a Triad When triads are spelled in thirds, the interval between the lowest pitch of the triad (called the root) and the highest pitch (called the fifth) is a fifth. The middle number of a triad is called the third, because it is a third above the root. Because the root is on the bottom, this triad position is called root position. Key Concept - page 114

Triads Above Major Scale Degrees One way to build triads is above the degrees of the scale. l If we are working in a specific key in classical music, most triads will be based on a scale. l

Triad Quality in Major Scales Triads built on each pitch have different qualities (like interval quality, determines if the triad is major, minor, diminished, or augmented) l In a major scale, the qualities are as follows: l M, m, m, M, M, m, d (this is for ALL major scales)

Triad Quality in Minor Scales The quality of the triad for the natural minor scale. Note: We raise the leading tone in minor for triads 5 and 7. IMPORTANT: In a minor key, raise the leading tone.

Spelling Triads Using Intervals We can spell triads with the help of intervals, as Example 7. 5 a shows: 1. Write the root of the chord. 2. Write a fifth above the root. For a major or minor triad, write a P 5 above the root. For a diminished triad, write a d 5. For an augmented triad, write an A 5. 3. Write a third above the root. For a major or augmented triad, make it a M 3. For a minor or diminished triad, make it a m 3. Example 7. 5 b shows another way to spell triads by means of intervals. You can write a major triad as a major third beneath a minor third; a minor triad as a minor third beneath a major third; a diminished triad as two minor thirds; and an augmented triad as two major thirds. Key Concept - page 116

Building Major Triads Not Using Scales l Major triads consists of the following intervals from the root: Perfect 5 th Major 3 rd Root l Or the stacked intervals are: Minor 3 rd Major 3 rd Root

Building Minor Triads Not Using Scales l Major triads consists of the following intervals from the root: Perfect 5 th Minor 3 rd Root l Or the stacked intervals are: Major 3 rd Minor 3 rd Root Major triad with a lowered third (by one half step)

Practice Build the following MAJOR triads: Build the following MINOR triads: THE NOTE GIVEN IS THE ROOT.

Spelling Diminished Triads Diminished triads consist of the following intervals from the root: Diminished 5 th Minor 3 rd Root Or the stacked intervals are: Minor 3 rd Root

Spelling Augmented Triads Augmented triads consist of the following intervals from the root: Augmented 5 th Major 3 Root Or the stacked intervals are: Major 3 Root

Practice Build the following DIMINISHED triads: Build the following AUGMENTED triads: THE NOTE GIVEN IS THE ROOT.

Another Way to Spell Triads You may also spell triads using only the major key signatures. First build a major triad (referring to the key signature of the triad’s root), then: -for a minor triad, lower the third a half step -for a diminished triad, lower the third and fifth each a half step -for an augmented triad, raise the fifth a half step

Scale-Degree Triads in a Tonal Context The key signature is the home base. l We refer to each triad built on the scale degrees by the name of the root. l Keep in mind that all triads are not equal in terms of how they are used. More about this later. l Notice how the major triads have upper case roman numerals and triads have lower case roman numerals.

Inversions of Triads l Triads do not always appear with the root as the bottom pitch. l An inversion is a triad or chord that has something other than the root as the bottom (or bass) pitch. l Any member of the triad (root, third, or fifth) can appear in the bass.

Triads in Inversions Things to keep in mind when determining a triad's inversion. -If the root of the triad is lowest, it is in root position. -If the third of the triad is lowest, it is in first inversion. -If the fifth of the triad is lowest, it is in second inversion. Key Concept - page 120

Triads in Iversions To identify the root in an inverted chord, look for the interval of a fourth. The upper note of the fourth is the root. Key Concept - page 121

Root Position The label 53 also stands for the intervals above the bass or lowest pitch. l In a root position triad, the root will always be the bottom pitch (in the bass). l Root position triads are labeled: 53.

First Inversion Triads l First inversion triads have third on the bottom (in the bass). l The root and fifth are placed above. l In four part writing, we double the root in this inversion. l First inversion triads are labeled: 6(3) The label 6(3) also stands for the intervals above the bass or lowest pitch.

Second Inversion Triads l Second inversion triads have the fifth on the bottom (in the bass). l The root and third are placed above. l In four part writing, we double the root or the fifth. l Second inversion triads are labeled: 64. The label 64 also stands for the intervals above the bass or lowest pitch.

Inversions Practice Write the following triad in first inversion: Write the following triad in second inversion: NOTE: THE PITCHES GIVEN ARE THE LOWEST PITCH OF THE TRIAD.

Seventh Chords l Seventh chords add another third on top of a root position triad, forming a seventh between the root and top pitch. l Seventh chords are named by the quality of the triad plus the quality of the seventh from the root. l Refer to you book pages: 125 - Example 7. 12 and 127 - Example 7. 14

Example of Seventh Chords

Roman Numerals and Figures for Seventh Chords Think of this like a phone number: 765 -4342 Root 3 rd 1 st 2 nd Inversion

Seventh Inversions

Types of Seventh Chords l Types: ¡ Major Seventh ¡ Dominant Seventh ¡ Minor Seventh ¡ Half Diminished Seventh ¡ Fully Diminished Seventh

Major Seventh Chords MAJOR SEVENTH CHORDS – (Sometimes called a major chord. ) Major seventh chords are nothing more than a major triad with a major seventh. They are labeled Intervals from the root: X(Maj. )7. Major Seventh Simply Put: Major triad with a major seventh from the root. Perfect Fifth Major Third Root Intervals from the previous notes: Major Third Minor Third Major Third Root

Dominant Seventh Chords DOMINANT SEVENTH CHORDS – (Sometimes called a major-minor chord. ) Dominant sevenths. Intervals from the root: Minor Seventh are major triads with a Perfect Fifth minor seventh. They are Major Third Root label X 7. Simply Put: Major triad with a minor seventh above the root. Intervals from the previous notes: Minor Third Major Third Root

Minor Seventh Chords MINOR SEVENTH CHORDS – (Sometimes called a minor chord. ) Minor seventh chords are minor triads with a minor seventh. They are labeled x 7. Simply Put: Minor triad with a minor seventh above the root. Intervals from the root: Minor Seventh Perfect Fifth Minor Third Root Intervals from the previous notes: Minor Third Major Third Minor Third Root

Half Diminished Seventh Chords HALF DIMINSHED SEVENTH CHORDS – Half diminished seventh chords are diminished triads with a minor seventh. They are labeled X 7. Simply Put: Diminished triad with a minor seventh above the root. Intervals from the root: Minor Seventh Diminished Fifth Minor Third Root Intervals from the previous notes: Major Third Minor Third Root

Fully Diminished Seventh Chords FULLY DIMINISHED SEVENTH CHORDS – Fully diminished seventh chords are diminished triads with a diminished seventh. These are labeled X 7. Intervals from the root: Diminished Seventh Simply Put: Diminished chord with a diminished seventh above the root. Diminished Fifth Minor Third Root Intervals from the previous notes: Minor Third Root

Practice

Seventh Chords in Inversions

Seventh Chords in Inversion

Practice - Try It #6 - page 127 Treble Clef Bass Clef E Dom. 4 c min. 65 A Dom. 4 3 2 B Dom. 43 Ab Maj. 65 a min. 65

Practice

Extra Credit Homework - Try It # 7 - page 128

Reading Lead Sheets Has a written out melody, chord symbols, and lyrics. l Chord Examples: CMaj. 7, C-7, Cm 7, C-7 b 5 l Does not go by key, but by what the chord says l

Reading Lead Sheets l Em/F is an E minor triad with an F in the bass. (F is a not a chord member. ) l Em/B is an E minor triad with a B in the bass = 2 nd inversion. B is a triad member.