Published:
2003-01-01
Updated:
2003-01-01

Learning Ukulele with Curt

Triads - Traditional and Contemporary Triads

A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four traditional triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. And four contemporary triad chord types: sus2, sus4, add2 and add9.

Main Category: Chords Main Instrument: Ukulele

6 August 2026

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Triads - Traditional and Contemporary Triads

A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four traditional triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. And four contemporary triad chord types: sus2, sus4, add2 and add9.

Triads can be used harmonically, as chords and melodically, as single notes. Triads are a great way to get started with creating melodic solos and improvising.

    1

    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.

    2

    Core `Ukulele Chords, Major and Minor Triads, Strings 1 2 3

    A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. This lesson covers the major and minor triads on string 1 2 3.

    3

    Core `Ukulele Chords, Diminished and Augmented Triads, Strings 1 2 3

    A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished, and augmented. This lesson covers the augmented and diminished triads on strings 1 2 3.

    4

    Core `Ukulele Chords, Major and Minor Triads, Strings 2 3 4

    A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished, and augmented. This chart covers the major and minor triads on strings 2 3 4.

    5

    Core `Ukulele Chords, Diminished and Augmented Triads, Strings 2 3 4

    A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. This lesson covers the augmented and diminished triads on strings 2 3 4.

    6

    Major & Minor Triads - Strings 1 3 4

    Major and minor triads on strings 1 3 4.

    7

    Core `Ukulele Chords, Diminished and Augmented Triads, Strings 1 2 3 4

    A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. This lesson covers the augmented and diminished triads on strings 1 2 3 4.

    8

    Core `Ukulele Chords, Major and Minor Triads, Strings 1 2 3 4

    A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. This chart covers the major and minor triads on strings 1 2 3 4.

    9

    Core Ukulele Chords - Triads, Add Chords

    A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four traditional triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. And four contemporary triad chord types: sus2, sus4, add2 and add9. This series of lessons explores contemporary add chords using triads covered in earlier lessons of this series.

    10

    Core Ukulele Chords - Triads, Suspended Chords

    A suspended chord (sus chord) is a chord in which the (major or minor) third is omitted, replaced usually with either a perfect fourth or a major second, although the fourth is far more common. The lack of a minor or a major third in the chord creates an open sound, while the tension between the fourth and fifth or second and root creates dissonance.

    11

    Exploring Major Triads on Ukulele Using a I IV I V Progression - C Major

    Exploring major triads using the primary chords of C major. Triads are one of the first chords that really bring to light the need to know the notes of the neck. This lessons shows the three voicings and the solutions for playing a common 1 4 1 5 progression using C, F and G triads on the string 1 2 3 set.

    12

    Exploring Major Triads on `Ukulele Using a I IV I V Progression - Key of G

    Exploring major triads using the primary chords of G major. Triads are one of the first chords that really bring to light the need to know the notes of the neck. This lesson shows the three voicings and the solutions for playing a common 1 4 1 5 progression using G, C and D triads on the string 1 2 3 set.

    13

    Exploring Major Triads on `Ukulele Using a I IV I V Progression - Key of D

    Exploring major triads using the primary chords of D major. Triads are one of the first chords that really bring to light the need to know the notes of the neck. This lessons shows the three voicings and the solutions for playing a common 1 4 1 5 progression using D, G and A triads on the string 1 2 3 set.

Series Info

Chords

Ukulele

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4-part Contemporary Chords, a.k.a. Jazz Chords

4-part Contemporary Chords, a.k.a. Jazz Chords

Core Chords is a series of lessons for building your 4-part chords. These chords commonly called jazz chords, are really just 4-part chords used in a wide range of musical styles. Beyond basic open position chords, basic movable form chords and a core set of 4-part chords. There are just too many chords shapes too memorize. Learning the principles of how chords are constructed and the ukulele fingerboard are the way to go. Then you can create more advanced chords like 9#11, 7#5-9, 13b5, 7+9 on the fly as needed.