Triads Worksheet – Level 2
Part A: spell each triad (major, minor, diminished, augmented, sus2, sus4). Part B: name each triad shown on the staff, including its inversion (root position, first or second inversion). Check with the answer key and play the chords to hear the differences.
A. Write the notes of each chord
- D
- Daug
- Aaug
- Daug
- Gm
- E♭dim
- B♭aug
- G
- Em
- Faug
B. Name the chords on the staff
Answer key
Show the answers
- D: D F♯ A
- Daug: D F♯ A♯
- Aaug: A C♯ E♯
- Daug: D F♯ A♯
- Gm: G B♭ D
- E♭dim: E♭ G♭ B𝄫
- B♭aug: B♭ D F♯
- G: G B D
- Em: E G B
- Faug: F A C♯
- Cm
- D♭aug
- D♭m
- Em
- D♭m
- Bm
- F♯m
- E
Goal
Know all common triad types and recognise them in any inversion, which is how chords usually appear in real music.
How to practise
| Triad | Formula | Example on C |
|---|---|---|
| Major | 1 3 5 | C E G |
| Minor | 1 b3 5 | C Eb G |
| Diminished | 1 b3 b5 | C Eb Gb |
| Augmented | 1 3 #5 | C E G# |
| Sus2 | 1 2 5 | C D G |
| Sus4 | 1 4 5 | C F G |
- For inversions, rearrange the notes into stacked thirds to find the root. The lowest note then tells you the inversion: third in the bass = first inversion, fifth in the bass = second inversion.
- Spread the sheet over two sessions.
Self-check
Check with the key. Use the chord identifier to confirm any answer you are unsure about: enter the notes with the correct bass note.
Next steps
Read chord inversions and triads. Then move on to four-note chords with the seventh chords worksheet.