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Be familiar with the triad

Neil Hawes Home Page

• A triad is three particular notes of the scale which sound good together:
  • The first (key note), third and fifth notes of the scale form the major triad on the key note;
  • Here's the scale with the three notes of the triad on the key note made louder, then played separately, then played together, making a chord.
  • Many tunes include this triad. Here are three tunes that start with it:
    • The Blue Danube;
    • Morning has broken;
    • "Kum-ba-yah".

• Here's and example of what a triad looks like: and here's another:
  • Notice that a triad always occupies every other slot, which means consecutive lines, or spaces.

• Not only does the triad appear in tunes, but it is also the basis of most harmony:
  • Harmony is made up of the notes that are played with a tune;
  • In most cases, the notes played with a particular note of a tune form a triad;

• For the reasons above, it is very useful for sight-singing to become familiar with the triad, and to be able to sing it in different contexts.

• The exercises below are just for singing:
  • They will improve your voice and your ability to pitch notes;
  • But their main aim is to improve your "ear" and your memory for notes.

• For each numbered exercise below:
  • There are three versions of each, getting higher and faster each time;
  • Start with the first of the three, and listen to it two or three times;
  • Then try singing with it two or three times;
  • Then try singing it on your own;
  • Leave it for five minutes and try singing it again on your own without playing it again;
  • Try it the next day without playing it first (the exact start note doesn't matter);
  • As you get more confident, try the faster and higher ones.
  • When you can do them on your own, vary the speed and starting pitch - you need to get used to doing them many different speeds and pitches.

Exercise (please read the comments on how to do these exercises, and what is needed):

1. As a lead up to triad, a five-note scale up and down: Key1; Key2; Key3.
   • These can be sung to "Laa", "Mee" or "Yah" (on each note) or "1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1"

2. A triad up and down twice: Key1; Key2; Key3.
   • These can be sung to "Laa", "Mee" or "Yah" (on each note) or "1-3-5-3-1-3-5-3-1"

3. A pattern made up of a triad: Key1; Key2; Key3.
   • These can be sung to "Laa", "Mee" or "Yah" (on each note) or "1-5-3-5-1-5-3-5-1"

4. Adding the top key note, giving a rhythmical arpeggio: Key1; Key2; Key3.
   • These can be sung to "Laa", "Mee" or "Yah" (on each note) or "1--3-5-8--5-3-1"