6 String Freedom

Part 5: Understand the chords you already hold · Lesson 038 / 117

Build one major triad

Today’s one thing

Combine a root, a major third and a perfect fifth.

A triad is a three-note chord built here from a root, a third and a fifth. A major triad uses a major third and a perfect fifth above its root: 1–3–5.

Choose C as the root. A major third above C is E, and a perfect fifth is G. The result is C–E–G, a C-major triad. The root names the chord; it does not have to be the first note you happen to pick.

Relate the formula to the intervals you already know. C to E is four semitones, C to G seven. Measure both from C, not from whichever note you played immediately before. Measuring everything from a changing reference would build a different structure.

Today, build just C major and inspect it carefully. Other roots will use the same relationships, but we do not need to collect them all before this one makes sense.

Hear it

C Chord

Audio file

Four-beat count-in · 60 BPM · Warm sampled electric guitar. Listen once before playing along.

A concrete example

C major = C–E–G. Relative to C: root, major third, perfect fifth. The formula describes note relationships, not fret numbers.

C chordCEADGBe×
Low E is left; high E is right. Open circles mean open strings; × means leave the string silent. Use relaxed, comfortable voicings.

Fretboard view

Tap a labelled note to hear it. High E/string 1 is at the top, matching tablature.

Root / tonicChord tone
C major triad
Root, major third and perfect fifth.
Guitar fretboard from open strings to fret 4; C major triad. Notes and highlighted targets labeled.
Three notes are enough to define the chord quality. Build them clearly before worrying about larger grips.

Use this as a note map, not a speed test. Once the relationships make sense, play them without looking.

Try it, slowly

  1. Play C–E and identify the major third.
  2. Play C–G and identify the fifth.
  3. Combine C–E–G and say what each ingredient contributes to its construction.

Check one idea

In 1–3–5, should you play frets 1, 3 and 5 on one string?

Show the explanation

No. These are chord-degree relationships to the root. Find the actual pitches C, E and G for C major, wherever their guitar addresses are.

A good place to stop

You can reconstruct C major from intervals rather than only remembering its grip.

Return to the example after a short break. A clear explanation matters more than speed.