6.1: Introduction to Triads
A triad consists of three notes stacked in consecutive thirds. A triad is also called a chord as well as a harmony . (Harmony also refers to chord progressions.)
The lowest note of a triad when it is stacked in thirds is called the root . The middle note is the third and the highest note of the triad is the fifth. (We will discuss inversions of triads later.)
There are four qualities of triads— augmented , major , minor , and diminished .
Major and minor triads are common, diminished triads are less common, and augmented triads are rare.