Triads

[Garrett Mireles]

Cmaj triad:

G-----0-
D---2---
A-3-----

If I take the 3rd an octave lower,

G------0---
D----------
A-3--------
E---0------

..does it remain a Cmaj triad?

Also, what do you name a triad with a sharp 3rd? And if it has a sharp 3rd and 5th? It looks like an inversion..only it's not.

Thanks.

[Aaron]

yep, still a triad. One of my favorite voicings for a triad is the third on the bottom with the root and then the fifth on the top. It gives it a more ambiguous texture.

Thirds are never sharp, they are either flat (minor) or natural (major). A sharp 3rd would be a perfect 4th.

Root 4th 5th is a sus chord.

[cowsgomoo]

Originally posted by Garrett Mireles
Also, what do you name a triad with a sharp 3rd? And if it has a sharp 3rd and 5th? It looks like an inversion..only it's not.

if the major 3rd is raised a semitone, so you have C, F (or E#, if you're so inclined) & G, you'd call it a suspended 4th triad

the 'sharp 3rd & 5th' scenario would give you C, E# and G#, enharmonically: C, F & Ab... which you'd normally call an F minor triad (2nd inversion if the C is at the bottom)

[moley]

Originally posted by Garrett Mireles
..does it remain a Cmaj triad?

Yes, but more specifically, it's now in first inversion. That means the 3rd (E) is in the bass. When the 5th (G) is in the bass, it's in second inversion and when the root is in the bass it's in root position.

This first inversion of C Major is notated C/E.

Also, what do you name a triad with a sharp 3rd? And if it has a sharp 3rd and 5th? It looks like an inversion..only it's not.

As the others have said, you don't. Didn't you ask about this #3 #5 thing once before? Or was that someone else? Anyway the other guys summed it up - when the 4th replaces the 3rd, it's a sus4 chord, but there isn't a #3 #5 chord - in this case, it's just F Minor in 2nd inversion.

[Aaron]

When you change the order around completely (i.e. 3rd - root - fifth), do you just call it by the name of the inversion that has the same interval as the bass note (first inversion in this case)?

[craigles]

Originally posted by moley


This first inversion of C Major is notated C/E.

Cool...I've always wondered about that.

btw what is the second inversion notated as?

Cheers,

Craigles

EDIT: I'm assuming it's C/G ???

[thrash_jazz]

Originally posted by PortraitofTracy
When you change the order around completely (i.e. 3rd - root - fifth), do you just call it by the name of the inversion that has the same interval as the bass note (first inversion in this case)?

That would be a slash chord, with the root first and the bass note second.

For instance, as GUACAMOLEY said, a Cmaj in its first inversion would be C/E. If you were referring to the triad, you'd just call it "Cmaj triad in 1st inversion".

Same thing applies to second inversions.

[moley]

Originally posted by PortraitofTracy
When you change the order around completely (i.e. 3rd - root - fifth), do you just call it by the name of the inversion that has the same interval as the bass note (first inversion in this case)?

The inversion goes by the bass note. 3rd in the bass = 1st inversion, 5th in the bass = 2nd inversion.

[moley]

Originally posted by craigles
EDIT: I'm assuming it's C/G ???

You got it.

[Aaron]

Originally posted by thrash_jazz


That would be a slash chord, with the root first and the bass note second.

For instance, as GUACAMOLEY said, a Cmaj in its first inversion would be C/E. If you were referring to the triad, you'd just call it "Cmaj triad in 1st inversion".

Same thing applies to second inversions.

I was just asking if a triad voiced 3rd-root-fifth would have a different name as a triad voiced 3rd-fifth-root. I believe moley stated that they would both be C maj in first inversion or C/E.

[sunburstbasser]

Raising a Major Third in a triad will give a fourth or it can also be called an augmented third.