Chords reference
Major Triad
A major triad is a three-note chord containing a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth.
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C Major Chord
- Theory
- Chord
- Written root
- C
- Instrument
- 6-string Guitar
- Tuning
- E Standard
- Labels
- Notes
- Handedness
- Right handed
| String, low to high | Fret | Current label | Note | Degree | Interval | Root |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 1 | 3 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 1 | 8 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 1 | 12 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 1 | 15 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 1 | 20 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 1 | 24 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 2 | 3 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 2 | 7 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 2 | 10 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 2 | 15 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 2 | 19 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 2 | 22 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 3 | 2 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 3 | 5 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 3 | 10 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 3 | 14 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 3 | 17 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 3 | 22 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 4 | 0 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 4 | 5 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 4 | 9 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 4 | 12 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 4 | 17 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 4 | 21 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 4 | 24 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 5 | 1 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 5 | 5 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 5 | 8 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 5 | 13 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 5 | 17 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 5 | 20 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 6 | 0 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 6 | 3 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 6 | 8 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 6 | 12 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 6 | 15 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 6 | 20 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 6 | 24 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
Overview
The major triad is one of the four basic triad qualities. Its identity remains unchanged when its notes are reordered into inversions, doubled across octaves, or distributed into different voicings.
Construction
The authoritative definition supplies the three chord tones. Measured from the root, the major third establishes major quality and the perfect fifth completes a stable triadic frame.
Characteristics
The outer perfect fifth provides structural stability, while the major third distinguishes the chord from a minor triad. Register, spacing, doubling, and instrumentation can change its colour without changing its quality.
Applications
Major triads function as independent chords, members of diatonic harmony, arpeggio sources, and foundations for major seventh and dominant seventh chords. They are also practical landmarks for fretboard and interval study.