Triads and Their Inversions

Contents / notes

• Triads and their inversions in major and minor keys, not exceeding two sharps and two flats.
• Primary triads in major keys.
• Secondary triads in major keys.
• Chord indications: major triads represented by capital Roman numerals, such as I.
• Minor triads represented by small Roman numerals, such as ii.
• Diminished triads represented by small Roman numerals with a degree sign, such as vii°.
• Augmented triads represented by capital Roman numerals with a plus sign, such as III+.
• In major scales, major triads are I, IV and V; minor triads are ii, iii and vi; the diminished triad is vii°.
• In harmonic minor scales, minor triads are i and iv; major triads are V and VI; diminished triads are ii° and vii°; the augmented triad is III+.
• Primary triads are I, IV and V in major scales, and i, iv and V in harmonic minor scales.

Candidate objectives

• Identify triads and their inversions in major and minor keys.
• Compare types of triads.
• Determine the uses of triads.