Triads
Every root, third and fifth of the chosen triad, marked across the whole keyboard. Pick major or minor and choose a root note.
Note names
Interval numbers
About triads
A triad is a three-note chord: a root, a third and a fifth. Take a root note, the note a third above it, and the note a fifth above that root, and you have the smallest complete chord in common use.
The third is what decides the chord's quality. A major triad has a major third, four semitones above the root; a minor triad has a minor third, three semitones above. The fifth is a perfect fifth in both, seven semitones above the root. So a single semitone is the entire difference between major and minor.
Triads are the skeleton of nearly every other chord. Sevenths, ninths and the rest are triads with further notes stacked on top, which means knowing where the three notes of a triad lie across the keyboard lets you construct a chord anywhere rather than transplanting one memorised hand position.
Using this tool
The diagram marks every occurrence of the three notes across all three octaves, not just one. Pick out the clusters that fall under your hand in one position and you have found the standard chord voicings for yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a major triad?
The root, the major third and the perfect fifth. A C major triad is C, E and G.
What is the difference between a major and a minor triad?
Only the third. A major triad's third sits four semitones above the root, a minor triad's sits three. Both keep the same perfect fifth.
Why does the same triad appear so many times on the keyboard?
Each of the three notes recurs on every octave. Across three octaves, a triad turns up at twenty-one separate positions.
Practice this on your own piano
Pianolytics listens to your instrument and drills triads, scales and chords.