What is a major triad?

What is a major triad?

• A. A chord with a minor third on bottom and a major third on top
• B. A chord with two major thirds
• C. A chord with a major third on bottom and a minor third on top
• D. A chord with two minor thirds

Answer: (C)

A major triad is formed by stacking a major third above the root and then a minor third above that. In practical terms, from the bottom note to the middle is a major third (4 semitones), and from the middle to the top is a minor third (3 semitones). This creates a chord built from the root, a major third, and a perfect fifth above the root (7 semitones total), which gives the bright, characteristic sound of a major triad. That pattern—major third on the bottom, then a minor third on top—is exactly what defines a major triad. If you stacked two major thirds you’d get an augmented triad; two minor thirds would yield a diminished triad; and starting with a minor third would describe a minor triad instead.

A major triad is formed by stacking a major third above the root and then a minor third above that. In practical terms, from the bottom note to the middle is a major third (4 semitones), and from the middle to the top is a minor third (3 semitones). This creates a chord built from the root, a major third, and a perfect fifth above the root (7 semitones total), which gives the bright, characteristic sound of a major triad. That pattern—major third on the bottom, then a minor third on top—is exactly what defines a major triad. If you stacked two major thirds you’d get an augmented triad; two minor thirds would yield a diminished triad; and starting with a minor third would describe a minor triad instead.