Guitar Fundamentals: Major Triads II

 

    In the last lesson we learned how to play four different major triad shapes, and saw how they were connected within a larger shape.  Here we will look at two other sets of major triad shapes.  Have a look at this C major triad, which has its root on the high E string (thinnest string):

C Major

    Just like the shapes in the last lesson, the white dot in these shapes is the note that we name the chord by, and it is movable up and down the neck.  No matter which fret you play this shape on, it will produce a major triad, named by whatever note the white dot is on.

    To get the next shape, move the top note down one octave, just like we did with the shapes in the last lesson.  From here on, I will assume you remember how this works with each shape, so I will just show you the shapes.  Remember that the white dot is the note that each triad is named by.

move the top note down one octave

C Major Triad

move the top note down one octave

C Major Triad

move the top note down one octave

C Major Triad

    Here is the shape of all of them put together:

    Here is the other set of major triads.  I won't show the top note moving down in these, as I assume you understand that by now.  Remember the white dot is the note that we name the triad by.  All the examples in this lesson and the last lesson show the white dot on the note C.  To get a major triad other than C major simply move the white dot up or down the neck to the note that has the same name as the triad you want, and form the same shape.  Here is the last set of major triad shapes:

C Major Triad

 

C Major Triad

C Major Triad

 

C Major Triad

    Here is the full shape:

    You've just learned 8 new shapes for major triads, which added to the shapes from the last lesson makes 12 shapes.  Consider that fact there are 12 major chords, you've learned how to play 144 new chords in just 2 lessons!  Remember that you can use any one or any combination of these shapes in place of a major chord in songs.  All you have to do is put the white dot on the note that is the name of the chord you want to play.  

    Here are some more examples of triads in real music:

    The opening riff in "Substitute" by The Who is all triads:

    The electric guitar part behind the vocals in the first part of the verse on "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison is playing single notes from the triad shapes:

    Play around with all the triad shapes.  It is really important to play around with things you learn like this.  Simply learning that these things exist will not help you or be useful to you.  Part of the process is actually applying these things to real music, whether it be songs you already know or music you write.  Try using the triad shapes in place of chords on songs you already know how to play, or move them around, pick single notes from them, whatever you want.  Just make some music!

 

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Minor Triads  >

    Remember you can leave a comment below if you have a question.  I will respond as soon as I am able!