To identify if a three-note chord is a triad, use the "circle of thirds" approach. According to the provided reference, the pitch classes of a triad will always sit next to each other when arranged on a circle of thirds.
Here's how to do it:
- Arrange the notes: Take the three notes of the chord you want to identify.
- Imagine the circle of thirds: Picture or draw a circle where each position represents a pitch class (e.g., C, D, E, F, G, A, B).
- Place the notes: Put the notes from your chord onto the circle.
- Check for adjacency: If the notes are next to each other on the circle, it is a triad. If they are not, it's not a triad.
For example, a C major triad consists of C, E, and G. On a circle of thirds, these notes would be adjacent. Conversely, a chord containing C, F, and A would not be a triad because the notes are not adjacent on a circle of thirds.
