Triads, Seventh Chords, and Inversions in Music Theory

What is the horizontal element of music called?

Melody

What is the vertical element of music called?

Harmony

What are triads?

Three-note chords built by stacking two intervals of a third.

What is the lowest note in a triad called?

Root

What is the middle note in a triad called?

Third

What is the top note in a triad called?

Fifth

What are the four qualities of triads?

Augmented, Major, Minor, Diminished

How is an augmented triad constructed?

M3 + M3

How is a major triad constructed?

M3 + m3

How is a minor triad constructed?

m3 + M3

How is a diminished triad constructed?

m3 + m3

What scale degrees are associated with Major triads?

1, 4, and 5

What scale degrees are associated with minor triads?

2, 3, and 6

What scale degree is associated with diminished triads?

7

What is the root position of a triad?

Root in the bass

What is the first inversion of a triad?

Third in the bass

What is the second inversion of a triad?

Fifth in the bass

What is a dominant seventh chord?

A seventh chord built on scale degree 5, labeled V7.

What are tendency tones?

Notes that help make chord progressions sound correct or good.

What is the resolution for Ti in music?

Ti moves to Do (7-1)

What is the resolution for Fa in music?

Fa moves to Mi (4-3)

What is the resolution for Re in music?

Re moves to Do (2-1)

What are the five common types of seventh chords?

Major 7, Dominant 7, Minor 7, Half-Diminished 7, Diminished 7

How is a Major 7 chord constructed?

Major triad plus a major seventh

How is a Dominant 7 chord constructed?

Major triad plus a minor seventh

How is a Minor 7 chord constructed?

Minor triad plus a minor seventh

How is a Half-Diminished 7 chord constructed?

Diminished triad plus a minor seventh

How is a Diminished 7 chord constructed?

Diminished triad plus a diminished seventh