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Chords I, II, IV and V, and their inversions

Music theory, Triads, chords and cadences, 16 minutes

Building a triad on a degree of the scale, chords I, II, IV and V in major and minor keys, and root position, first and second inversion (a, b and c).

A triad on any degree

A triad is three notes stacked in 3rds: a root, the 3rd above it and the 5th above it. Build one on any degree using only the notes of the scale.

A major triad has a major 3rd and a perfect 5th above the root.
A minor triad has a minor 3rd and a perfect 5th.

Chords are named by the degree of their root, with Roman numerals: I on the tonic, II on the supertonic, IV on the subdominant, V on the dominant.

D major: I, IV and V are major chords, II is minor

The rest of this lesson and its 6 practice questions are in Plus.

Screen 1 of 5, free to read.

6 exam-style questions, marked as you go, each with a worked solution
Anything you get wrong is saved to your flashcards

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