Triads, etc.

Question 0

What is the formula for any Minor Triad?

Answer 0

1   b3   5  of any major scale
Example:  C minor triad is  C   Eb   G
C (1st note of C major scale)
Eb (flat 3rd note of C major scale)
G (5th note of C major scale)
C Minor Triad Chord Symbol:      C- or Cmin or Cmi or Cm

Question 1

What is the formula for any Major Triad?

Answer 1

1   3   5  of any major scale
Example:  C major triad is  C   E   G
C (1st note of C major scale)
E (3rd note of C major scale)
G (5th note of C major scale)
C Major Triad Chord Symbol:      C

Question 2

What is the formula for any Augmented Triad?

Answer 2

1 3 #5 of any major scale
Example: C augmented triad is C E G#
C (1st note of C major scale)
E (3rd note of C major scale)
G# (sharp 5th note of C major scale)
C Augmented Triad Chord Symbol: C+ or C+5 or Caug

Question 3

What is the formula for any Diminished Triad?

Answer 3

1 b3 b5 of any major scale
Example: C diminished triad is C Eb Gb
C (1st note of C major scale)
Eb (flat 3rd note of C major scale)
Gb (flat 5th note of C major scale)
C Diminished Triad Chord Symbol: C° or Cdim

Question 4

What is the formula for any sus chord (aka sus4)?

Answer 4

1   4   5  of any major scale
Example:  C sus (suspended) is  C   F   G
C (1st note of C major scale)
F (4th note of C major scale)
G (5th note of C major scale)
C Sus Chord Symbol:  Csus or Csus4

Question 5

What is the formula for any sus2 chord?

Answer 5

1   2   5  of any major scale
Example:  C sus2 is  C   D   G
C (1st note of C major scale)
D (2nd note of C major scale)
G (5th note of C major scale)
C sus2 Chord Symbol:  Csus2

Question 6

What is the formula for any Major Sixth Chord?

Answer 6

1   3   5   6  of any major scale
Example:  C major sixth chord is  C   E   G   A
C (1st note of C major scale)
E (3rd note of C major scale)
G (5th note of C major scale)
A  (6th note of C major scale)
C Major Sixth Chord Symbol:     C6

Question 7

What is the formula for any Minor Sixth Chord?

Answer 7

1   b3   5   6  of any major scale
Example:  C major sixth chord is  C   Eb   G   A
C (1st note of C major scale)
Eb (flat 3rd note of C major scale)
G (5th note of C major scale)
A  (6th note of C major scale)
C Minor Sixth Chord Symbol:     C-6

Question 8

What is the formula for any Power Chord?

Answer 8

1   5   of any major scale
Example:  C power chord is  C   G
C (1st note of C major scale)
G (5th note of C major scale)
C Power Chord Symbol:     C5
Rock On!