The Basics: Learn Your Triads PART 2: Second Set of Three Adjacent Strings

For PART 2,  we are going to bounce over to the next set of three adjacent strings (strings 2,3, & 4) and learn our basic triad voicings just as we did in PART 1. To keep things simple, we will build all of these triads using the same "root note" ( C ), as we did in PART 1 for comparison. Later on, all of these triad voicings will be transposed to other keys.

Things to study within each example below:

1. Within each triad inversion, make sure you memorize which note is the "root". What finger and on what string, is playing the root? Sing the root while you play the chord. (note: this will also be required for transposing to different keys)

2. Within each inversion, memorize where the "3rd" and "5th" are within the voicing. Sing them while you play the chord.

3. Notice the pattern of rotation of tones moving from one inversion to the next. What note (Root, 3rd, or 5th) is on the bottom? What note is on top?


Ex 1. shows a major triad in closed root position, and it's two inversions. For range purposes, the 1st Inversion and 2nd Inversion are voiced lower than the Root Position on this set of strings.  
Ex. 1.5 shows the 1st Inversion transposed up an octave. Later on, we will use this shape and fingering for moving the 1st Inversion major up and down the fretboard 

Ex.2 shows a minor triad in closed root position, and it's two inversions. Ex. 2.5 shows the 1st Inversion transposed up an octave on the same three adjacent strings. Later on, we will use the fingering in 2.5 for moving the 1st Inversion minor up and down the fretboard.

Ex.3 shows a diminished triad in closed root position, and it's two inversions. You know what to do.

Ex. 4 shows an augmented triad in closed root position, and it's two inversions. Ex 4.5 shows the 1st Inversion transposed up an octave. Notice how all of the chord voicings are the same shape and fingering. Also notice how the root, 3rd, and 5th shift through each voicing.