Diiminished triads and chords. Triads are 3 note chords. Chords may have more than 3 notes. Triads may be formed on any note of the scale. The C major scale consists of the notes, letters C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
A triad, using C as the root, would have the notes C, E, and G used.These notes form the C major chord. The chord symbol used is designated by the plain letter "C" over the musical notes.
With just lyrics, the letter C would be placed over the syllable where the C chord is first used.
The sequence of the above notes corresponds to scale degrees.. the position of the note in the scale and is normally represented by a roman numeral for the starting position.
Example: i = 1st scale degree. iv = 4th scale degree.
In the sequence of the above letters used, C is the 1st or i, D is the 2nd or ii, E is the 3rd or iii, F is the 4th or iv, G is the 5th or v, A is the 6th or vii, B is the 7th or vii, C again would be the 8th or viii.
The viii degree is a repeat of the beginning.
In the major scale, the degrees i, iv, and v form the major triads, or chords.
The ii, iii, and vi form the minor triads, or chords.
The viii scale degree of any major scale is where the diminished triad is formed. Or in musical terms a specific starting point is referred to as being in the key of C or F or some starting letter (note).
For more detail on types of chords see lesson #1445 The Four Chords.
