# Building triads in thirds

*Module 7 · Lesson 2: Triads and arpeggios · BazzLow*

> Build major and minor triads by stacking thirds.

Before this lesson: [7.1 Chords on the bass](https://bazzlow.com/en/triads-and-arpeggios/chords-on-the-bass/) · [6.1 The natural minor scale](https://bazzlow.com/en/minor-scales/natural-minor-scale/)

The simplest chord is the triad: three notes, stacked like three steps of a ladder, every other letter.

## Stacking thirds

A **triad** is a three-note chord built by stacking two 3rds. The bottom note is the **root**; above it is the **third**; above that is the **fifth**. Chords built in 3rds are called **tertian**.

- **Major triad**: a major 3rd plus a minor 3rd, **1 3 5**. C = C E G.
- **Minor triad**: a minor 3rd plus a major 3rd, **1 ♭3 5**. Cm = C E♭ G.

> **Diagram:** C: C E G.

> **Diagram:** Cm: C E♭ G.

Both have a **perfect 5th** between the root and the 5th. Only the 3rd changes, so the **3rd decides major or minor**, and the root and 5th fit both. This is why root–5th bass lines work over major and minor chords alike (Module 9).

## Finding them quickly

Take the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the major scale of the root for a major triad, or of the natural minor scale for a minor triad. Every triad needs correct spelling, with one letter skipped each time: C E G, D F♯ A, D♭ F A♭. D♭ minor is D♭ F♭ A♭, not D♭ E A♭.

*Major and minor triads on all 12 roots.*

| Root | Major triad | Minor triad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| C | C E G | C E♭ G |
| D♭ | D♭ F A♭ | D♭ F♭ A♭ |
| D | D F♯ A | D F A |
| E♭ | E♭ G B♭ | E♭ G♭ B♭ |
| E | E G♯ B | E G B |
| F | F A C | F A♭ C |
| F♯ | F♯ A♯ C♯ | F♯ A C♯ |
| G | G B D | G B♭ D |
| A♭ | A♭ C E♭ | A♭ C♭ E♭ |
| A | A C♯ E | A C E |
| B♭ | B♭ D F | B♭ D♭ F |
| B | B D♯ F♯ | B D F♯ |

## Try it

Play the major arpeggio from C (fret 3 on the A string), then the minor one from the same root. Repeat from G (fret 3 on the E string) and D (fret 5 on the A string).

## New terms

- triad
- root
- third
- fifth
- major triad
- minor triad
- tertian harmony

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/triads-and-arpeggios/building-triads/