When considering chord progressions, we tend to use three or four notes in our chord structures – this is because most songs only use a limited number of chords.
Music theory defines triads as the simplest form of chord, consisting of three notes joined together by what’s known as a perfect interval.
Major Triad
Two notes separated by four semi-tones create a major third (joyous sounding), while three semi-tones separates them to make a minor third (depressing sounding). This relationship creates chords with perfect fifths.
Tertian chords, composed of consecutive major and minor thirds, are known as tertian. As well as their intervals, tertian chords contain fifths which match up perfectly with A major’s dominant chord in terms of fifths content.
This progression features a mix of major and minor tonalities to reflect the feelings associated with a breakup, while an extended major 7th chord at B-E-G provides hope of finding someone new in our future.
As with other chord shapes, any chord shape may be used to construct a major triad, though CAGED major chord shapes make identification simpler. Chord symbols also help identify its quality and root using letters from the scale (see Chord Symbols for more info). Doublings or open spacing do not impact identification thanks to octave equivalence principle.
Minor Triad
If you want to spice up your chord progressions, the Minor Triad chord can help! Comprised of root, minor third and perfect fifth intervals – we have written extensively about them here! To learn more about them check out our article about intervals.
By adding a minor triad to a major key chord progression, an extra tension can be created which makes the resolution back to tonic more challenging, making the song sound more dramatic or intense.
John Legend uses minor triads on the IV and V chords in “Summertime”, providing it with a bluesy feel and creating interesting altered tones within it that make this memorable melody.
To maximize the use of minor triads, it’s crucial that all three shapes be practiced up and down the fretboard in all keys. This will enable greater harmonic control when comping chords or improvising over changes.
Dominant 7th Triad
Dominant 7th chords differ from major 7ths by not featuring a sharpened top note (known as a flat seven) which creates a more tensioned sound and makes them ideal for creating tension in music.
Many genres take advantage of dominant 7ths, particularly blues music. For instance, The Rolling Stones used a B7 chord as part of their hit “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” to add both bluesy and psychedelic rock characteristics into their 1970 song.
Dominant 7ths can also be seen being employed by bands like The Doors in their song, “Roadhouse Blues”, where this chord serves as an extended dominant 6th chord with an altered half-diminished seventh above its root.
Major 7th Triad
The major seventh interval is an attractive sounding interval often used in jazz and other genres of music that don’t often require chords with more than four notes. It is also useful if playing with singers who need fill-in between their vocal phrases.
One easy way to create a major 7th chord is by adding 7 to any closed position major triad (1 3 5). For example, Cmaj7 becomes Cmaj7 while Emaj7 changes into Emaj7.
Another simple approach to major 7th chords is finding drop 2 chords and then shifting their third up or down an octave. Below are four examples that demonstrate this simple method, featuring four distinct G7 drop 2 voicings played on guitar neck. Each has a bass note played using left-hand pinkie finger on string 2. Additionally, each has different ways of playing chord fifth on third string.