Published:
2013-02-14
Updated:
2022-12-20
Learning Ukulele with Curt
Core `Ukulele Chords, Traditional and Contemporary Triads
A “triad” is a three-note chord. In traditional music theory. In our Western harmony, where tonal harmony is built in thirds, there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished, and augmented. Contemporary triads include sus and add.
Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Code: UL42-TRI
Main Category: Chords Main Instrument: Ukulele
Categories: Chords, Theory, Triads, Intermediate, Core, Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Harmony
2026-08-23
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Number of Pages: 6
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A “triad” is a three-note chord. In traditional music theory. In our Western harmony, where tonal harmony is built in thirds, there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished, and augmented. Contemporary triads include sus and add.
These four contemporary triad chord types include: sus2, sus4, add2, add9.
On the ukulele, triads occur on adjacent and non-adjacent three string sets.
String Sets
Sus?
In the traditional triads built in thirds, the sus, or suspension, always referred to the fourth's inherent nature to resolve down to the third of the triad. And, always did resolve to the third. In contemporary harmony, we have excepted that the suspension can be delayed or not happen at all.
With all that being said, there really is no such thing as a sus2 chord. As, traditional triad built harmony, there is no suspension between the second and the third.
You already know triads if you know the basic open position chords such as C , F , G , Am , Dm , etc. If there's no 7 or 5 in the name, they're most likely triads, maybe with one of the notes doubled. An example would be a typical open position, C . C is C E G with the C doubled.
More Core `Ukulele Chords, Traditional and Contemporary Triads
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More Core `Ukulele Chords, Traditional and Contemporary Triads
The Basic Open Position chords such as C , F , G Am , Dm , etc… are triads or have a triad as their foundation.
Triads are the overwhelming the majority of chords we play.
Open Position: C
Open Position C
Using an open position C major chord as an example. The notes of the chord, from nose to toes are: G C E C. The C major chord is the notes C E G. This gives us the triad on strings 3 2 1 while doubling the C an octave higher on string one.
Movable Form C
The movable A/B♭ for at fret (3) is C, the notes: C E G C. This version again has a double C — the same C note if using a high G tuning. However the the E, G notes in the middle string 3 and 2 give us a full triad on the 3, 2, 1 string set as well as the 4, 3, 2 string set.
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Movable A/Bb
at fret (3): C
When using a high G, C Tuning, both triads are the same voicing as the C on string four is the same C on string one. With a Low G, C Tuning, the C one string one is one octave higher than the C on string four.
Triads can be used Harmonically as chords and Melodically as single notes. Triads are an excellent way to get started with creating melodic solos and improvising.
For a major scale, I have students memorize this sequence of the triad types in a major scale: major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished. This sequence with knowing the notes of any major scale will get you the chords ( triads ) for that scale. For the C major scale , the chords are C , Dm , Em , F , G , Am , Bdim . For Db major scale , the chords are Db , Ebm , Fm , Gb , Ab , Bbm , Cdim . This sequence works for any major scale or mode of a major scale. For D Dorian, the chords are: Dm Em F G Am Bdim C. Simply start on the second chord of the C major scale chord sequence.
Memorize this mantra…
maj , min , min , maj , maj , min , dim
With this mantra, the sequence of triads, You'll be able to discern the names of the triads in any of the 15 Major Scales .
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