Ear Training: Major and Minor Triads

One of the best ways to improve your musicianship is by taking the time to sing and actively listen to musical materials you use everyday. Let's consider our most basic chords, major and minor triads. These chords are made up of different combinations of major and minor thirds. A major third (M3) spans the distance of two whole steps (G-B); a minor third (m3) covers one-and-a-half steps (G-Bb).

You can construct those triads by using formulas: Major triad = M3 + m3; minor triad = m3 + M3 (spelled from the bottom up). If you know your major and minor scales, you can refer to these relationships between the degrees of the scale. Try the following exercises at the piano to review thirds and triads.

Using the numbers 1 2 3 4 5, sing the first five notes of a major scale starting on G. Check yourself on the piano. Next break the triad down into its two stacked thirds. Sing 1 2 3 and then leave out 2, singing 1-3 (G-B, a major 3rd). Next, sing 3 4 5, then just 3-5 (B-D, a minor third). Finally, sing 1 2 3 4 5, then 1-3-5. Congratulations! You have just sung a major triad (G-B-D).

Sing:

G-A-B-C-D
G-A-B
G-B (M3)
B, C, D
B, D (m3)
G-B-D (Major triad = M3 + m3)

For a minor triad, use the minor scale as your reference. Remember, a minor scale has a half step between sale degrees 2-3, so Bb is scale degree3 in G minor. Follow the same steps as above: 1 2 3 4 5. Then 1 2 3, 1-3, 3 4 5, 3-5. Finally, 12345: 1-3-5. Congratulations! You have just sung a minor triad (G-Bb-D). Do this same exercise starting on other notes within your voice range and you will improve your ability to quickly construct and recognize thirds and triads... by ear.


Hear and Play has just released a new software, Song Tutor and the Vocal Mastery System is a good resource for the vocalist/musician. Be sure and catch the following former posts I blogged about.

Ear Training

Ear Training Piano Lesson

Friday Freebie: Ear Training

Learn Songs By Ear

Practical Approach to Ear Training

Types of Ear Musicians

photo credit: Sunny Spot via photopin (license)
article credit: Joan Stiles

Blessings,






"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Cornerstone Chords: Hillsong

I love the song, Cornerstone from Hillsong. Watch the YouTube Video and be blessed.

It's from the album, Cornerstone and it's such a great song to listen to when you're going 

through some difficult times.

C9

Basically, a Major Seventh with Ninth = C E G B D

Right, you're just adding the ninth to the seventh chord.

So what is a C dominant 9 Chord?

C E G Bb D

Basically, it's a C dominant 7 chord with an added 9 tone. Play Bb and E with the left hand and Bb, D and G on the right.

Chords and Lyrics

Intro:  G   Em  C9  D


Verse 1
G
My hope is built on nothing less
C9                    D
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
Em                    D
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
C9          D         G
But wholly trust is Jesus' name


Chorus
        C9    Em    D
Christ alone, Cornerstone
G/B       C9            Em       D
Weak made strong in the Savior's love
G           C9
Through the storm
Em    D 
He is Lord
        G
Lord of all


Verse 2
G 
When darkness seems to hide His face
C9                       D
I rest on His unchanging grace
Em                 D
In every high and stormy gale
C9              D        G
My anchor holds within the veil
C9              D        G 
My anchor holds within the veil


Bridge 
Em    C9
He is Lord
D       G
Lord of all


Verse 3
G
When He shall come with trumpet sound
C9               D
Oh may I then in Him be found
Em                      D
Dressed in His righteousness alone
C9         D            G
Faultless, stand before the throne

If you're a Hillsong fan, be sure and grab these chord charts:

Hosanna

This Is Living

God Is GreatAll My Days

It helps to have a good understanding of chord formations. I have a music dictionary and I also recommend the audio series, Chords 101 & 102


photo credit: Hillsong United Concert via photopin (license)






"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Mailbox Monday: What Are Accidentals?

Question from a reader:

"What's the meaning of an accidental in music?"

ACCIDENTALS 

Answer:

Accidentals are notes you don't normally expect to see in a particular key or scale. They are the extra sharps, flats, or naturals in the music that are not included in the key signature.

For example, in C major, which has no sharps or flats in the key signature, any note with a sharp or flat is considered an accidental.

C-D-E-F-E-D-F#-G

In G major, which has an F sharp in the key signature, the F sharp would not be considered an accidental because it is part of the G major scale. Any other note that is changed by a half step would be an accidental.

G-F#-G-D-D#-E-C-B

An accidental is a sign used to raise or lower the pitch of the note. Remember that an accidental does not affect the same note of a different octave, unless indicated by a key signature.

Playing Closer To The Black Keys

When you play pieces with accidentals, try to move your hands a bit closer to the black keys. The closer you are hard-to-reach notes, the faster you'll get to them. This will make the passages easier to play, and they will sound smoother, too.

To see how this works play the example below twice. The first time place your fingertips at the very edge of the keys. The second time, your fingers should move in closer to the black keys. do you notice any difference? Which way is easier for your hands? Which one sounds better and smoother?

C-D-Eb-F#-G-F#-G  or  C-D-Eb-F#-G-Eb-C

Interesting Fact

You have probably noticed that when we say F sharp, the name of the note comes first (F), and then we say sharp but in the music the sharp is written before the note, not after it.

Still not clear on the purpose of accidentals? Check out, what-purpose-do-accidentals-serve-in-music, especially read through to the very end on passing chords and grace notes.

If you're studying music theory and want to use a workbook for your own personal reference, purchase the 300pg Piano By Ear Home Study Course


Blessings,






"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King