Unit 3 Mastery: Harmony Fundamentals

Triad

A three-note chord consisting of a root, a third, and a fifth.

Root

The fundamental note upon which a triad is built.

Third

The interval that defines the quality of the chord, either major or minor.

Fifth

The interval that completes the triad, creating the outer structure.

Major Triad

A triad formed by stacking a major third over a minor third.

Minor Triad

A triad formed by stacking a minor third over a major third.

Diminished Triad

A triad formed by stacking two minor thirds.

Augmented Triad

A triad formed by stacking two major thirds.

Perfect Fifth

The interval created between the root and the fifth in major and minor triads.

Diminished Fifth

The interval created between the root and the fifth in a diminished triad.

Seventh Chord

A chord consisting of a triad plus an additional seventh note.

Major Seventh Chord

A seventh chord made up of a major triad and a major seventh.

Dominant Seventh Chord

A seventh chord made up of a major triad and a minor seventh.

Minor Seventh Chord

A seventh chord made up of a minor triad and a minor seventh.

Half-Diminished Chord

A seventh chord that features a diminished triad and a minor seventh.

Fully Diminished Chord

A seventh chord that features a diminished triad and a diminished seventh.

Inversion

A chord that is played with a tone other than the root as the lowest note.

Root Position

The position of a chord where the root is the bass note.

First Inversion

The position of a chord where the third is in the bass.

Second Inversion

The position of a chord where the fifth is in the bass.

Figured Bass

A notation system indicating inversions of chords using numbers.

Roman Numeral Analysis

A method for analyzing chords by indicating their function within a key using Roman numerals.

Diatonic Chords

Chords that are constructed using only the notes of a given scale.

Leading Tone

The seventh scale degree which is usually raised in harmonic minor to form a major V chord.

Major Key Chord Quality

Pattern of I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii° in a major key.

Minor Key Chord Quality

Pattern of i, ii°, III, iv, V, VI, vii° in a minor key.

Common Mistake: Minor V Error

Confusing the V chord in minor keys as minor instead of major.

Common Mistake: Diminished Chords

Mixing up Half-Diminished and Fully Diminished chords based on intervals.