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Exercises on Major Triads
The notes of the major triad are the first, third and fifth notes of the major scale.
So, the C major triad is made up of C, E and G.
In each of the exercises, a two-measure pattern of notes is played. Listen to the pattern, then play it in the next two measures.
Don't worry about mistakes. The idea is to repeat these exercises until you are able to play them with confidence. Then you are ready to move on.
The notes that are played will be the concert key notes C, E and G.
C instruments (like the flute) will play their notes C, E and G.
Bb instruments (like the tenor saxophone) will play their notes D, F# and A.
Eb instruments (like the alto saxophone) will play their notes A, C# and E.
The notes of the triad are referred to as the 1st, 3rd and 5th of the chord. This refers back to their position in the major scale.
The 1st note (C in the C major triad) is also called the 'root' of the triad. When the root is the lowest of the triad notes, the
triad is in 'root position'.
When the triad is played with the 3rd (E in the C major triad) as the lowest note, the triad is in '1st inversion'.
When the triad is played with the 5th (G in the C major triad) as the lowest note, the triad is in '2nd inversion'.
The Exercises