Reference

Triads

Triads are chords formed of three notes. Triads may be major, minor, augmented, or diminished. The following examples show the structure of each of these chords:

Major triad: major 3rd., perfect 5th.

Minor triad: minor 3rd., perfect 5th.

Diminished triad: minor 3rd., diminished 5th.

Augmented triad: major 3rd., augmented 5th.

Major and minor triads are considered to be perfect because they always have a perfect fifth. Diminished or augmented triads are called by the name of the fifth they contain.

See C > Chord for related entries.