Major Triads
The name of the notes in a C major triad and tell its interval structure (root → third → fifth) using major/minor intervals.
What is C–E–G; intervals: major third (C→E), perfect fifth (C→G)?
Name the notes in an A minor triad and state its interval structure (root → third → fifth).
A–C–E; intervals: minor third (A→C), perfect fifth (A→E).
Define a diminished triad and give an example on B (name the notes).
Diminished triad = root, minor third, diminished fifth. B diminished: B–D–F.
Define a dominant 7th chord and give the notes in G7.
G7: G–B–D–F (root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh).
On the note list D–F#–A, identify the triad and its quality.
D–F#–A = D major.
Build a G major triad and indicate the quality of the third.
G–B–D; third is major (G→B M3, B-D m3).
Show how to get a minor triad from a major triad by altering one note; give an example starting with C major.
Lower the third of the major triad by a half step. C major C–E–G → C minor C–E♭–G.
Define an augmented triad and provide the notes for C augmented.
C augmented: C–E–G# (root, major third, augmented fifth).
What notes make a half-diminished 7th chord built on B (Bø7)? Spell them and name the intervals from the root.
Bø7 (B half-diminished 7): B–D–F–A (diminished triad + minor seventh).
Given the notes Eb–G–Bb, name the triad and state whether it is major/minor/augmented/diminished.
Eb–G–Bb = E♭ major.
Explain how to build a major triad from any root using scale degrees (which degrees of the major scale form the triad?) and give an example starting on A.
Use scale degrees 1, 3, 5 of major scale. Example A major triad: A–C#–E.
Given the notes B–D–F#, identify the chord and explain your reasoning.
B–D–F# is B minor (B–D is minor third, B–F# is perfect fifth)
Given the notes G–Bb–Db, identify the triad quality and explain your reasoning (intervals above the root).
G–Bb–Db is G diminished (G→Bb minor third; G→Db diminished fifth).
Explain the difference between a fully diminished 7th chord and a half-diminished 7th chord in terms of triad quality and the seventh interval; give an example of each.
Fully diminished 7th: diminished triad + diminished seventh (e.g., B°7: B–D–F–A♭); half-diminished: diminished triad + minor seventh (B–D–F–A).
If you see the notes A–C–Eb–G, identify the seventh chord.
A–C–Eb–G = A half-diminished seventh
Given the notes E–G#–B, identify the triad, its inversion possibilities.
E–G#–B; inversions: root (E–G#–B), 1st (G#–B–E), 2nd (B–E–G#).
Construct a minor triad on F# (spell with correct accidentals) and state the intervals that make it minor.
Construct a fully diminished triad on E (spell the notes correctly) and state its interval pattern.
E diminished triad: E–G–Bb.
Construct and spell an F# dominant 7th chord. List the chord tones and label the interval quality of each (major/minor/diminished).
F#7: F#–A#–C#–E (A# is major third, C# perfect fifth, E minor seventh).
Construct and spell a fully diminished 7th chord on C#.
C#°7 spelled: C#–E–G–B♭
Construct a major triad on the note D#. State the intervals from the root and why this triad is major.
D#–Fx–A# — root to third: major third; root to fifth: perfect fifth.
Compare the sound/quality differences between a minor triad and a major triad, and explain what causes the difference in terms of intervals.
Minor triad sounds darker/less bright because it has a minor third (3 semitones) instead of a major third (4 semitones).
Explain the difference in interval construction between Major/Minor Triads vs. Diminished/Augmented Triads.
Major/Minor Triads alternate M3 and m3 (eg. Major Triad=M3-m3). Diminished/Augmented Triads have similar thirds (eg. Diminished Triad= m3-m3).
Given the four notes C–E–G–Bb, identify the chord (type and root).
C-E-G-Bb = C dominant7
Given the notes F–A–C–E, identify the chord (type and root).
F–A–C#–E = F Maj7.