Section 1: Chapter 11 primary and secondary triads

Question 1

What are primary triads?

Answer 1

A primary triad is one of the three note chords found within the diatonic scale of a key. Primary triads are constructed off of the intervals of a major or minor third.

Question 2

What do primary triads reinforce?

Answer 2

Primary triads help the ear to reference the overall tonality of the piece and, in some instances, to identify the tonic.

Question 3

What are the three primary triads?

Answer 3

The primary triads for major and minor keys include the following:

• Tonic - Identified by the Roman numeral I or i (minor)
• Subdominant - Identified by the Roman numeral IV or iv (minor)
• Dominant - Identified by the Roman numeral V

Question 4

What is the primary function of a I chord (tonic)?

Answer 4

The tonic chord is generally placed at the beginning and at the end of a progression and gives a sense of resolution from the previous chord.

Question 5

What is the primary function of a IV (sub dominant) chord?

Answer 5

The subdominant chord acts as a good transitional chord. It can also be used as a preceding triad to the tonic.

Question 6

What is the primary function of a V (dominant) chord?

Answer 6

The dominant triad to the tonic movement can provide the strongest sense of finality to a composition or musical statement.

Question 7

What do secondary triads provide in music?

Answer 7

Although it is possible to only use primary triads in a piece, secondary triads can provide more variety and color within a piece of music.

Question 8

What are the secondary triads in Major and minor keys?

Answer 8

• Supertonic – Identified by the Roman numeral ii
• Mediant – Identified by the Roman numeral iii or III (minor)

-Submediant – Identified by the Roman numeral vi or VI (harmonic/melodic
minor)

-Leading Tone – Identified by the Roman numeral vii or VII (natural minor)