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Triads can be used harmonically, as chords and melodically, as single notes.

Triads are a great way to get started with creating solos and improvising.

These lessons explore both. Using triads as chords like any other chord and using triads as a basis for creating melodies and improvising.

Other Triads

From the Major and Minor triads you can derive the Diminished, Augmented, add and sus triads.

For Diminished triads you lower the fifth of a minor triad one half step or one fret.

For Augmented triads you raise the fifth of a major triad one half step or one fret.

For add triads, as the name implies, you need to add a note. Any note can be added but the most typical is an add 2 or add 9. For an add2 triad you raise the root of a major or minor triad a whole step or two frets. Or, optionally lower the third of a major triad two frets or the thrid of a minor triad one fret.

For sus triads, the sus means suspension. Traditionally the sus referred to suspending the third of a chord by raising the third of a major chord two frets sor the third of a minor chord one fret.

For a sus 2 chord, a more contemporary chord you raise the root of a major or minor triad two frets. Optionally you can lower the third of a major triad two frets or the third of a minor chord three frets.

This is a lot to remember for the add and sus chords. So with getting to the actually notes or spelling of chords and really knowing the notes of the fingerboard. You are closer to getting a handle on these more contemporary chords.

 

QuickStart Arpeggio Fingerings for Ukulele, C Tuning

Using Triads Melodically

Here is a sample recording I threw together quickly to demonstrate how triads can be used for creating a melody or solo.

The chord progression is a simple I IV I V in the key of G major. Chords are two measures each of G C G D using basic open position chords.

Example Using A Scale and Emphasizing the Notes of Triads

This solo was created using only the notes of the triads below.

Example Using Notes of Triads and One Non Chord Tone (*)

This solo was created using only the notes of the triads below and one additional note (shown as *).

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Example Using Notes of Triads and One Non Chord Tone (*)

This solo was created using the NOTES of the G Major scale and emphasizing the notes of the chords (triads).