Triads – Closed/Open & Inversions

There are 4 types of Triads

Major (1 3 5)

Augmented (1 3 #5)

minor (1 b3 5)

diminished (1 b3 b5)

These examples are written from F as the root

(It is important to learn these from all rooted pitches i.e. A, Bb, B, C, etc)

F Major = F A C

F Augmented = F A C#

f minor = F Ab C

f diminished = F Ab Cb

Reordering a triads 3 pitches gives us 3 inversions

F in the bass = Root position

A (or Ab) in the bass = 1st Inversion

C (C# or Cb) in the bass = 2nd Inversion

Closed voice means the voicing is within an octave

Open voice means the voicing is wider than an octave

(All examples are printable .PNG files)