Harmony: Triads and Chords Glossary

A triad consisting of two major 3rds stacked from the root, producing a bright, unstable sound with an augmented 5th.

A series of chords played in succession that establishes harmonic motion and structure in a piece of music.

The classification of a chord based on its interval structure: major, minor, diminished, augmented, or various seventh chord types.

Using only the notes that belong to a given key or scale, without chromatic alterations.

A triad consisting of two minor 3rds stacked from the root, producing a tense, unstable sound with a diminished 5th.

Chords that create tension and a strong desire to resolve to the tonic. V and vii-dim serve dominant function.

A chord consisting of a major triad plus a minor 7th interval. It occurs naturally on scale degree 5 and has a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic.

Choosing between different note names for the same pitch based on harmonic context, which affects how the chord is analyzed and functions.

A notation system using numbers below a bass note to indicate intervals above it, specifying chord inversions and voice leading.

A chord consisting of a diminished triad plus a minor 7th interval. It occurs on scale degree 7 in major keys and scale degree 2 in minor keys.

A chord arrangement where a note other than the root is the lowest-sounding pitch. First inversion has the 3rd in the bass; second inversion has the 5th in the bass.

A chord consisting of a major triad plus a major 7th interval. It occurs on scale degrees 1 and 4 in major keys and has a lush, jazzy sound.

A triad consisting of a major 3rd and a minor 3rd stacked from the root, producing a bright, stable sound.

A triad consisting of a minor 3rd and a major 3rd stacked from the root, producing a darker, more somber sound.

Chords that create momentum away from tonic and toward dominant. In major keys, ii and IV serve predominant function.

The movement from a dissonant or unstable chord to a consonant or stable one, particularly the motion from dominant to tonic.

A system for labeling chords by their scale degree and quality, using uppercase for major and lowercase for minor, enabling key-independent harmonic analysis.

The foundational note of a chord from which the other notes are measured. The root gives the chord its letter name.

A chord voicing in which the root is the lowest-sounding note. Figured bass: 5/3 (or no figures).

The position of a note within a scale, numbered 1 through 7. Each degree has a name: tonic (1), supertonic (2), mediant (3), subdominant (4), dominant (5), submediant (6), leading tone (7).

A four-note chord built by adding a third above the fifth of a triad. The five common types are major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, half-diminished 7th, and fully diminished 7th.

A harmonic system based on chords built by stacking thirds, which is the foundation of Western tonal harmony.

Chords that provide stability and a sense of home or rest. In major keys, I, iii, and vi serve tonic function.

A three-note chord built by stacking two thirds above a root note. The four qualities are major, minor, diminished, and augmented.

The specific arrangement of chord tones in terms of register, spacing, and doubling, affecting the sound without changing the chord identity.