3-note chord
Let an agent define three-note chords and triads, explain their qualities, inversions and functions, relay notation and analysis conventions, and distinguish triads from other three-note chords and from larger chords.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent define three-note chords and triads, explain their qualities, inversions and functions, relay notation and analysis conventions, and distinguish triads from other three-note chords and from larger chords.
A chord of three notes, in Western tonal music most often a triad built of two stacked thirds above a root, giving major, minor, diminished and augmented triads, which can appear in root position or in first and second inversions such as the six-four chord; triads are the basic harmonic units of common practice music and popular music, and other three-note chords include suspended chords, quartal chords and contrast chords in some theoretical systems.
What it is for: Harmony in Western music.
It can be define triads and qualities; explain inversions and functions; relay notation conventions; distinguish from other chords.
Distinguishing features
Stacked thirds
Four qualities
Inversions
Tonal function
What it looks like
Not a visible object; three notes sounded together, written stacked on a staff.
Physical character
notes: 3 count
triad qualities: 4 count - major, minor, diminished, augmented
How it is recognised
Chord of three notes
Major, minor, diminished, augmented, inversions, suspended
Dyads have two notes; seventh chords have four
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is a kind of - in registry terms
is built from - thirds in tertian harmony
is contrasted with - a four-note chord
In practice
Families and kinds
major and minor triads
diminished and augmented triads
inversions including the six-four chord
suspended and quartal three-note chords
contrast chords and other theoretical categories
Standards and regulation
No regulation; music theory conventions and chord notation systems
Failure modes and hazards
Confusing inversions and qualities
Applying tonal terms to non-tonal music
Notation inconsistencies
Also called
+10
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Define What a triad is.
Theory.
Definition
Definition and qualities.
Definition
Definition.
- What is a triad, and how do the four qualities differ? definition
- Is the chord a triad, another three-note chord or a larger chord? boundary
Inversions
Inversions.
Inversions
Inversions.
- How do root position, first and second inversions work, including the six-four chord? definition
- Which entry fits the specific chord? action
Use Function and practice.
Theory.
Function
Harmonic function.
Function
Function.
- How do triads function in tonal harmony and progressions? provenance
- Which entry fits harmonic function? action
Practice
Playing and voicing.
Practice
Practice.
- How are triads voiced and played on keyboard and guitar? action
- Which references are standard? provenance
Notate Notation and analysis.
Theory.
Notation
Notation.
Notation
Notation.
- How are triads written in Roman numerals, figured bass and chord symbols? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Analysis
Analysis.
Analysis
Analysis.
- How are triads identified in analysis, and what about other three-note chords? provenance
- Which entry fits music analysis? action
Context History and acoustics.
Context.
History
History.
History
History.
- How did the triad become the basis of Western harmony, from Zarlino to Rameau? provenance
- Which entry fits the history of music theory? action
Acoustics
Acoustics and perception.
Acoustics
Acoustics.
- What do acoustics and psychology say about consonance of triads, with findings attributed? provenance
- Which entry fits consonance and dissonance? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should major chord and minor chord be separate entries?
- How should theory references be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming qualities and inversions; should they be split off?