A chord progression is the combination of three musical notes used to support the melody of a song by musicians to accompany its melody. A triad is considered the simplest type of chord; its three notes constitute it.
These notes are separated by what’s known as a perfect interval.
Major Triad
The Major Triad chord is one of the most frequently employed chords in music. Composed of three notes that span all scale degrees, as seen below in its diagrammatic representation, this chord can be created quickly from any melody line.
Triads can be played in different arrangements, known as inversions. By switching around their tones in different orders, inversions allow for flexibility while maintaining the basic chord shape and sound quality of a triad.
Practice playing each triad form in all its variations on various strings to increase fingering ability and develop an ear for chords – the more familiar you become with their sounds, the greater musician you will become!
Minor Triad
Triads with minor third intervals can also be inverted like major triads; to do this, simply note on a triad diagram above the chord root with a number that indicates inversion; for example a minor triad with chord symbols R 5 b3 can be written as bass 6.
As with major triads, each chord quality features a suffix attached to its root note that indicates what kind of chord it is. Other types include major (shown with capital letters), augmented (with an “o”) and diminished. Practicing these shapes on all strings is essential.
Dominant Triad
The dominant triad combines the major triad and major seventh interval to produce an energetic power chord sound, and is also essential when creating cadential progressions.
Learning triad shapes and their associated seventh chords will add great flexibility to your musical repertoire. Triads will enable you to compose with taste and brevity while serving as reliable maps for single-note solos composed or improvised by yourself or others.
When playing triads in music, bass notes of the chord are generally covered by another instrument; therefore most guitarists don’t see inversions as inversions but simply different ways of playing the same chord.
Mixolydian Triad
Mixolydian is a mode that differs from major scale by having its 7th note flattened, and can be used in chord progressions to produce interesting harmonic outcomes. Here are some triad chords that harmonize with its tone.
The first chord is an F major triad with its root/starting note at D in this case; and the second chord, an F dominant triad with its root/starting point on G in this instance.
Mixolydian mode brings with it an air of confidence and charm thanks to its flattened seventh. Often found in blues and rock music.
Phrygian Triad
Phrygian mode is an exotic-sounding mode and may be difficult to incorporate into chord progressions, yet can still be effective when used when the rhythm remains on an E note, while harmony moves outside its key.
Phrgian is a minor type scale featuring the b2 scale tone that makes it less-than-ideal for use with major chords. Phrgian can often be found in modern movie soundtracks as a means to creating exotic/dark ambiance.
The second table displays four different shapes that the Phrygian scale can take on the guitar neck. Roman numerals indicate its scale degree for each shape. Chords constructed using this mode can feature both major and minor triads for an enhanced experience.
Mixolydian Mixolydian
Mixolydian is an excellent mode for blues and jazz music, as its seventh note (known as the leading tone ) has been reduced, giving a different sound from regular Major scales.
Mixolydian chords and progressions can be found across genres of music. To create them, take any major scale and lower its seventh degree – this will produce a unique sound that works great with dominant chords.
This mode is perfect for soloing. It features an appealing bluesy vibe, adding some zest to your guitar playing.