What is a Triad?

A triad is a basic type of chord in music that is made up of three different notes played together. These three notes are typically built by stacking two intervals of a third on top of each other. The notes of a triad are called the root, the third, and the fifth, and together they form the foundation of many chords used in music.

Triads can have different qualities depending on the type of intervals used between the notes. The most common types are major triads, minor triads, diminished triads, and augmented triads. For example, a C major triad consists of the notes C, E, and G, where C is the root, E is the major third, and G is the perfect fifth.

Triads are one of the most fundamental elements of harmony in Western music. They are used to build chord progressions, support melodies, and create the harmonic structure of songs and compositions. Because of their simplicity and versatility, triads appear in nearly every style of music, from classical and jazz to pop and rock.