Triads
A triad is a three-note chord built by stacking two intervals of a third. There are four types: major (bright, happy), minor (dark, sad), diminished (tense, anxious), and augmented (bright but unstable).
The Four Triad Types
| Type | Formula | Intervals | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | [0, 4, 7] | Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th | Bright, happy, stable |
| Minor | [0, 3, 7] | Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th | Dark, sad, stable |
| Diminished | [0, 3, 6] | Root, Minor 3rd, Diminished 5th | Tense, unstable, anxious |
| Augmented | [0, 4, 8] | Root, Major 3rd, Augmented 5th | Bright but eerie, unstable |
How Triads Are Built
Triads are built by stacking thirds — intervals of 3 or 4 semitones. A major triad has a major 3rd (4 semitones) on the bottom and a minor 3rd (3 semitones) on top. A minor triad reverses that: minor 3rd on bottom, major 3rd on top. Both span a perfect 5th (7 semitones) from root to top, so both sound stable — the difference is entirely in that middle note, the 3rd.
A diminished triad stacks two minor 3rds, creating a tritone (6 semitones) between root and top note — the most dissonant interval. It sounds inherently unstable and "wants" to resolve. An augmented triad stacks two major 3rds, creating an augmented 5th (8 semitones) that sounds bright but ambiguous.
In ChordColor
A major triad always appears as Red (root), Yellow (major 3rd), Blue (perfect 5th). A minor triad shows Red, Amber (minor 3rd), Blue. This consistent color pattern makes chord types instantly recognizable across all 26 instruments.