## HD Chord Explorations Made Simpler

by Marcy Prochaska

Home | Notes on Ex. 1 | Ex. 2: Chord Shapes | Notes on Ex. 2 | Ex. 3: I-IV-V Patterns

### Exercise One: Triads, or Where Chords Come From

A triad is a three-note chord built from the notes of a scale.

We'll start with a G scale. Find the marked G on the right side of your treble bridge. For the first triad, with one hand play that G, skip A and play B, skip C and play D.

The G, B, and D are labeled 1, 3, and 5 in the first diagram. Every triad has the same 1-3-5 relationship no matter what scale note you start on -- each starting note is 1, then skip 2 and play 3, skip 4 and play 5.

Continue through the scale, playing one triad for each scale note as shown in the diagrams. Use just one hand. The whole exercise should sound like this.

Home | Notes on Ex. 1 | Ex. 2: Chord Shapes | Notes on Ex. 2 | Ex. 3: I-IV-V Patterns

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