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Chords Learn
Page: Chords and Triads
Triads
For grade 5 you should be able to recognise the notes of triads formed from the 1st (Tonic), the 2nd (Super Tonic), the 4th (Subdominant) and the 5th (Dominant).
In the exam I recommend you write out the notes of the scale. It is then very easy to work these out: A, E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E.
Tonic: E, G, B
Super Tonic: F, A, C
Subdominant: A, C, E
Dominant: B, D#, F (D# is the raised 7th in the minor harmonic scale)
Ok, Got It!
Positions
Positions describe the order of the notes. For example, in the above example all three chords are variations of the tonic triad formed of E, G and B.
The chord above starting on E is Ia (or just I), which is root position
The chord above starting on G is Ib, which is first inversion
The chord above starting on B is Ic, which is second inversion
Ok, Got It!
This is an alternative notation which you also need to know.
Ok, Got It!
Exercise
Let's just check that you have been able to follow this.
In a moment you will be asked to identify the IVc chord in Ab major.
So, before going to the next step, write out the notes for the I, II, IV and V chord triads of Ab major.
Ok, Got It!
You should have written down the following for the chord triads of Ab major. You might have found it easiest to first write down what the flats are in Ab major (Bb, Eb, Ab and Db).