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A major triad has a major third (M3) on the bottom, a minor third (m3) on top, and a perfect fifth (P5) between the outer notes. In harmonic analysis and on lead sheets, a C major chord can be notated as C, CM, CΔ, or Cmaj. A major triad is represented by the integer notation {0, 4, 7}.
For example, a C major triad uses the notes C–E–G. This spells a triad by skipping over D and F. While the interval from each note to the one above it is a third, the quality of those thirds varies depending on the quality of the triad: major triads contain a major third and perfect fifth interval, symbolized: R 3 5 (or 0–4–7 as ...
For instance, the notation C/E bass indicates a C major triad in first inversion i.e. a C major triad with an E in the bass. Likewise the notation C/G bass indicates that a C major chord with a G in the bass (second inversion). See figured bass for alternate method of notating specific notes in the bass.
In the key of C major, the first degree of the scale, called the tonic, is the note C itself. A C major chord, the major triad built on the note C (C–E–G), is referred to as the one chord of that key and notated in Roman numerals as I. The same C major chord can be found in other scales: it forms chord III in the key of A minor (A→B→C ...
Another variation of the major triad changes the order of the notes: For example, the C-major triad is often played as (C,G,E), where (C,G) is a perfect fifth and E is raised an octave above the perfect third (C,E). Alternative orderings of the notes in a triad are discussed below (in the discussions of chord inversions and drop-2 chords).
The term "major scale" is also used in the names of some other scales whose first, third, and fifth degrees form a major triad. The harmonic major scale [ 4 ] [ 5 ] has a minor sixth. It differs from the harmonic minor scale only by raising the third degree.
In music, triads are primarily built on the circle of thirds. In fact, by going progressively forward in sequence of the circle of thirds, many chords can be constructed. For example, in A major, the first notes in the cycle of thirds are A, C♯, and E, which is also the three notes present in the A major triad. [2]
A drop-2 voicing lowers the second voice by an octave. For example, a C-major triad has three "drop-2 voicings". Reading down from the top voice, they are C E G, E G C, and G C E, which can be heard as the voicings supporting the first three melody notes (following the introductory phrase) of the Super Mario Bros. video game theme. [18]