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Do you know what a triad is? Find out in this quiz!

Grade 4 - Triads and Chords

Chords build harmony. In Grade 4 Music Theory you form triads, label chord numbers, and hear cadences that make music sound finished, open, or surprising.

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Fascinating Fact:

Cadence guide: V to I is perfect and final. IV to I is plagal. Anything to V is imperfect. V to vi is interrupted and surprises.

In Specialist Music Theory at Grade 4, you learn how triads are built from the root, third, and fifth. You name chords with Roman numerals, use inversions, and identify cadences that shape musical endings.

Key Terms

Triad: A three note chord made from the root, third, and fifth of a scale.
Roman numeral: A symbol like I, IV, or V that shows the scale degree on which a chord is built.
Cadence: A chord progression at the end of a phrase that creates a finished or unfinished feeling.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How do I build major and minor triads for Grade 4?

Take the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the scale. Major triad uses a major third then a minor third. Minor triad uses a minor third then a major third.

What are chord inversions and how are they written?

Inversions change which note is lowest. Root position has the root lowest, first inversion has the third lowest, second inversion has the fifth lowest. Figures 5 3, 6, and 6 4 can be used.

How can I identify a cadence in an exam question?

Find the final two chords and label them with Roman numerals in the key. Listen or imagine the sound, then match to perfect V I, plagal IV I, imperfect to V, or interrupted V vi.