Today, we’re diving headfirst into our guitar triad lesson, the captivating world triads, Triads are one of the most versatile tools that we can use as guitarists. A triad can be used to craft rhythm parts in a song your writing. If you are playing with other musicians, then the triad will be your best friend. Triads help you play nicely with pianists. They can also be used for crafting compelling solo arrangements or in a guitar solo.
What are guitar triads, anyway?
At its core, a triad is a three-note chord that consists of a root, a third, and a fifth. These notes serve as the building blocks of guitar chords, providing a solid foundation for melodies, chord progressions, and expression via improvisation. Understanding where each triad is located is critical for all guitar players. Minor triads, major triads, diminished triads, dominant triads are all components of songwriting and improvisation.
The Power of Three
Guitar triads possess a remarkable versatility that allows them to transcend genres and styles with ease. Whether you’re strumming along to a folk ballad, shredding through a jazz standard, or rocking out to a blues riff, triads are reliable music theory tool. A great way to memorize triads is to start learning all major triad structures. For example, learn all the major triads in the key of C
- C major, C,E,G
- F major, F,A,C
- G7, G,B,F
Start playing these chords and progressions. Once you start grasping the power of 3 notes, then you will be able to use them in your playing.
Unlocking the triad
We can start to unlock the power of triads when we memorize each string set. There is a wonderful guitar triad lesson by Molly Miller on Pick Up music that is a fantastic guide. You will learn the triads on each string set. This is a challenge, but once you understand where all the triads are located on the guitar, magic happens.
Practical Applications
So, how can you incorporate guitar triads into your playing? Learning different inversion can help you place the triads neatly on the fretboard. It will be important to learn all the inversions on multiple string sets. One way to apply triads to the fretboard is to practice with a piano player. Playing different voicings on the guitar will add more color to pianists harmony. You can also record yourself playing open chords and record a second track playing triads over the same chord progressions. There are limitless practicing techniques for triads. Hope you enjoyed our guitar triad lesson.
Download some free guitar tools to help you master the fretboard.
Justin Comstock
Host of the Guitar Freaks Podcast
Justin is a Blues guitarist from Utah. He created a guitar learning tool called the FretDeck on Kickstarter that has helped many guitar players master the fretboard. He is also the host of the Guitar Freaks Podcast.
Download his free tools for learning guitar.
