Chord Identification Flashcards
C Major
C E G
Name the two elements needed to identify a triad.
- the root of the triad; and
2. the quality of the triad itself
Describe the steps needed to identify a triad.
- Determine the root by bringing the triad in root position - where the lowest tone is the root and the third and fifth are stacked on top. The root names the triad.
- Determine the quality of the third and fifth.
What is a Major chord?
A chord with a root, Major third and a perfect fifth. Also called a Major triad.
What is another way of describing a Major triad?
A Major third interval with a minor third interval on top.
What is a minor chord?
A chord with a root, minor third and a perfect fifth. Also called a minor triad.
What is another way of describing a minor triad?
A minor third interval with a Major third interval on top.
What is a diminished triad?
A triad consisting of two minor thirds above the root.
What does a diminished triad resemble?
A minor triad with a lowered (flattened) fifth.
Where does a diminished triad occur in a Major scale?
Only on the seventh scale degree. ie in the scale of C - triad built on B is a B diminished triad (B D F).
What is another name for a triad built on the seventh scale degree?
Leading-tone triad
Where does the leading-tone triad occur?
- A triad built on the seventh scale degree.
2. In the seventh chord built on the fifth degree - i.e. in C - G dominant seventh (G B D F)
Where does the diminished triad occur in a minor scale?
On the second scale degree - in the key of C minor, this is the D diminished triad (D F Ab)
What is another name for a minor triad built on the second scale degree?
Supertonic diminished triad.
What is a augmented triad?
A triad or chord consisting of two major thirds (a major third and an augmented fifth
What does a augmented triad resemble?
A major chord whose top note (fifth) is raised or augmented.
What is the difference between a Major triad and an augmented triad?
A major triad contains a major third and a minor third (a perfect fifth). An augmented triad sharpens that fifth - the top note is raised a half step.
How does the augmented triad differ from the other kinds (major, minor, diminished)?
An augmented triad does not naturally arise in a diatonic scale (although it could be conceptualized as a triad built on the third degree of a harmonic minor scale or melodic minor scale - it virtually never occurs this way).
What does the name of a chord depend on?
The intervals between the notes when the chord is in root position.
Where does the difference in a chord’s sound come from?
The intervals between the root-position notes of the chord.
What do all major or minor chords have in common?
An interval of a perfect fifth between the root and the fifth of the chord.
What can a perfect fifth e divided into?
A major third (4 half steps) and a minor third (3 half steps).
What is the difference between a major chord and a minor chord?
The location of the major internal and minor interval. If the interval between the root and third is major and between the third and fifth is minor then it is a Major chord. If the interval between the root and third is minor and between the third and fifth is major then it is a minor chord.
What is an augmented chord built from and what does it add up to?
Two major thirds which add up to an augmented fifth.
What is a diminished chord built from and what does it add up to?
Two minor thirds which add up to a diminished fifth.
What happens to the chord’s name if you change the spelling of a chord’s notes (ie writing the note on a different space or line)?
You change the chord’s name.
C E G
C Major
C E G
C Major
