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Major Triads
A Triad is a 3 note chord and is essentially the smallest chord. A Major Triad is based on the 1st (Root) - 3rd & 5th notes of a major scale. Inversions change the order of the notes by playing a different note as the lowest note of the chord.
The chord symbols are written using a slash (/) such as C/E which means to play a C major chord with the E note as the lowest note in the chord. These chord symbols are common to other instruments such as keyboards.
There are 3 types of Triad inversions;
| Inversion Name |
Scale Notes |
Chord Symbol |
Chord Notes |
| Root Position |
1 3 5 |
C |
= C E G |
| 1st Inversion |
3 5 1 |
C/E |
= E G C |
| 2nd Inversion |
5 1 3 |
C/G |
= G C E |
The following chord pattern diagrams are of a block form (or Caged System),
which means you can move the same finger pattern for each Major Triad Inversion
up and down the guitar fretboard. |
