Triads

A triad is a three-note chord made from a root, a third and a fifth. We derive it by taking alternate notes from a scale: keep degrees 1, 3 and 5, and leave out degrees 2, 4, 6 and 7.

Use the major scale for a major triad, or the natural minor scale for a minor triad. The third determines the quality; both have a perfect fifth above the root.

Sus2 (Suspended Second) replaces the third with the second: 1, 2, 5. Sus4 (Suspended Fourth) replaces the third with the fourth: 1, 4, 5. Use the major scale to find these degrees. Without a third, suspended chords are neither major nor minor.

Changing the fifth creates diminished, augmented, Major ♭5 and Minor ♯5 triads. You can also explore three-note quartal, quintal and cluster chords, built from fourths, fifths or adjacent scale notes.