

When there is a "slash" and then a letter, that second letter indicates the note that will be either the lowest note (in the Bass if the triad is written on the Grand Staff) or the bottom note of the inversion (if the triad is on a single staff). The position of a triad can be either Root Position, First Inversion or Second Inversion. If writing them on a Grand Staff, the root note would be written in the Bass Staff and the Triad would be written (in any order) in the Treble Staff. So let's have some fun! Can you write the following triads based upon these Lead Sheet Triad Letters?ĭid you remember the tonality for each triad is based first upon the Major Scale? Then each triad is adjusted from the Major.ĭid you notice that all the triads are in Root Position? That's right - there is no slash, no second letter.


For example: "G" indicates the Major Root Position Triad of G - B - D. If there is one letter (from the musical alphabet), then the Triad will be in Root Position. Lead Sheet Triads - How Do We Write Them?Ī Lead Sheet Triad will consist of either one or two letters. (Just as the Figured Bass notation is realized or played by the performer!)Īnd, it is SO EASY to teach (and then use in your student's theory and practical work!). The Lead Sheet Triads, or the Root/Quality Chord Symbols, are a shorthand that shows without the use of notes or staff exactly what should be played by the performer. Second Inversion: the Fifth is the lowest (bottom) note.First Inversion: the Third is the lowest (bottom) note.Root Position: the Root is the lowest (bottom) note.diminished Triad: Root - minor Third - diminished Fifth.Augmented Triad: Root - Major Third - Augmented Fifth.minor Triad: Root - minor Third - Perfect Fifth.Major Triad: Root - Major Third - Perfect Fifth.Triads are introduced in the Ultimate Music Theory Workbooks on of the Basic Rudiments Workbook (and on of the Prep 1 Rudiments Workbook).Ī Triad is 3 notes that contains of a Root, Third and Fifth.Ī Triad has a tonality based upon the intervals of those notes: Figured Bass notations are written below the staff.ĭid you notice that the Lead Sheet Triads look a lot like those letters written above modern music that are usually played by Guitar players? That's right!Īnd guess what - the "Lead Sheet Triads" are simply the "Root/Quality Chord Symbols" that we have learned for years and years in Harmony - and they are not all that new! Lead Sheet Triads - What Do They Tell Us? When analyzing music, we usually notate the Lead Sheet Triads above the staff. Lead Sheet Triads use letter names to show the tonality of the triad, and a letter name to show the bass note (or the lowest note if using one staff) to indicate the position/inversion.įigured Bass uses Roman Numerals to show the tonality of the triad, and small numbers (written like a fraction) to indicate the position/inversion. Lead Sheet Triads and Figured Bass - What's The Difference?
