Triad Explorer
Triads are the building blocks of all chords. Select a root, quality, and inversion to see every position across the fretboard.
Root Note
Quality
Inversion
C
Root — Major 3rd (4 semitones) — Perfect 5th (7 semitones)C
RbassE
3G
5C— 4 semitones →E— 3 semitones →G
All C positions
String Sets
Triads are typically played on three adjacent strings. Each set has a different register and voicing character.
Strings 6-4-3
Low register — bass-heavy voicings
CE
ED
GG
Strings 5-4-3
Mid-low — the most common triad set
CA
ED
GG
Strings 4-3-2
Mid register — balanced and clear
CD
EG
GB
Strings 3-2-1
High register — bright, cutting
CG
EB
GE
Understanding Major Triads
Sound
Bright, stable, resolved. The foundation of Western harmony.
Harmonic Function
Tonic (I), Subdominant (IV), Dominant (V), the three pillars of any major key.
Related Scales
Major scale, Lydian, Mixolydian