Such a concept as tonic triad became known to us after the appearance of major and minor scales. These are simple chords, consisting of three notes, which should include a small and a large third. But in musical practice, such a phenomenon as a reduced triad is often found. What does this mean and how does it sound? Is it being built in the framework of the usual range for us?
What it is?
So, for starters, consider the major triad. This is a combination of two thirds - large in the first place and small - in the second. The increased third step, characteristic of the major scale, gives the triad a positive, bright and fun-sounding shade.
A minor triad goes hand in hand with him. This is a combination of small third in the first place and large - in the second. The third stage is underestimated, due to which the sound becomes melancholy and gloomy. But the reduced triad is a combination of two small thirds, in it not only the third step is lowered, but also the fifth. The sound is sharp, gloomy, strange and simply unstable. That is why such a chord, written in the framework of a certain range, requires an indispensable appeal to the tonic. But more on that later.
Major scale
This system can be natural, harmonic and melodic. We will leave the last option, since here the steps change only when the gamma moves down, and we will deal with the first two frets:
- Natural. Reduced triad in major, which belongs to this category, is built exclusively on the VII stage. If we consider everything on the example of “C major”, then we get a chord that includes notes H + D + F (“C”, “D” and “F”). There is a small third between "si" and "re", as well as between "re" and "fa".
- Harmonic. It is characterized by a lowered sixth stage, due to which we can now build a reduced triad not only at the VII stage, but also at II. In C major, these will be the notes D, F, and A Flat.
Minor scale
Here the picture is exactly the same - there is a natural, harmonic and melodic minor. As before, we will leave the last option, because here the VI and VII steps only increase when moving up:
- Natural. The starting point for the reduced triad in the minor is stage II. If it is in A minor, then, as in the parallel to C major, we build a chord from the note C.
- Harmonic. It is famous for its VII increased step, and it is on it that a reduced triad is built. In the framework of “A-minor”, “G sharp” + “B” + “D” is obtained.
Appeals
This topic is simple from a theoretical point of view, but in practice, the sound of chords is very interesting, although it is sharp. The reversal of the reduced triad, like any other, is carried out by moving the lower note one octave up. So we get first the tertz quarter chord, and then the quarter chord. However, when inverted, small thirds form non-pure quarts, tritons - reduced quints or increased quarts. As a result, the sound is quite sharp and unstable, but at the same time interesting and non-standard.
Resolution
Like all disruptions in music, this chord, built on the unstable steps of a fret (sorry for the tautology), requires permission - that is, a transition to a more stable sound. For each subspecies of the reduced chord, it has its own:
- The triad, built on the VII stage of major or II stage of minor, turns into tonic third in the first stage and third, respectively, with a doubling of the lower sound.
- Tertzkvartakkord in major changes to tonic tertzkvartakkord, and in minor - into third from third and fifth steps, with doubling of the lower sound.
- In the framework of major, a quarter chord passes into a quart between the fifth and first steps, and doubling of the upper sound, and if we are in the minor, then the transition is carried out in the tonic minor third with doubling of the lower sound.
The miracle of increased chords
As we have already found out, the dissonances that can be built both within harmonic modes and within natural ones are reduced triads. Enlarged analogues of them can also be present in scales, but only on condition of a melodic structure. This chord has an extremely stable sound, a little surreal, magical, alien. Often used in writing fantastic music. So, there is a triad of two big thirds and this is how it is built:
- Harmonic major - on VI reduced. In C major, these are the notes in A-flat + + to + E.
- Harmonic minor - on the III stage. In the framework of “A-minor” it will be “up to” + “E” + “G-sharp” - that is, the seventh elevated.