C major triad

Let us now look at playing the C major triad. We know that the triad is made up of the first, third and fifth notes of its scale. So what notes are in the C major scale?

Figure 6. Table of C major scale

C	D	E	F	G	A	B	C
1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	Octave

Figure 7. C major triad (Enlarge)

Using your right hand, play our C major triad along with the multimedia files until comfortable.

Exercise 6

Now, using your left hand, play our C major triad along with the multimedia files until comfortable. Note though that we have now moved the triad down an octave on the keyboard, as the left hand often plays in the bottom half of the keyboard.

It is also worth noting that the notes now appear in the bass clef, which represents the lower notes in the range of music and, specifically here, the bottom half of the keyboard.

Figure 8. C major triad an octave lower using your left hand (Enlarge)

NOTE. There is a full description of the notes and their positions in both treble and bass clefs at the end of this lesson.

Exercise 7

Next: Treble and bass clef