Understanding Triads

Lesson Details

• Year Level: Year 9
• Subject: Music
• Lesson Duration: 50 minutes
• Class Size: 15 students
• Curriculum Reference: Western Australian Curriculum – Music (Year 9, SCSA)
  • Content Descriptions:
    • Aural & Theory: Identification and construction of triads (major, minor, diminished, and augmented).
    • Performance: Playing and recognising different triads on an instrument.
    • Listening & Analysis: Recognising triads in contemporary and classical music.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand the structure of four primary triads (major, minor, diminished, and augmented).
• Identify triads aurally in various musical examples.
• Construct and play triads on their chosen instrument.
• Analyse how different triads create mood and emotions in music.

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Resources and Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Digital keyboard or piano
• Class set of ukuleles or guitars (optional)
• Printed stave paper
• Speakers for listening activities
• Worksheet for triad identification
• Instrument (students' preferred choice for performance section)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction – Triads in Music (10 minutes)

• Begin with a short class discussion: “What emotions do different chords create in music?”
• Introduce triads as the building blocks of harmony.
• Visually break down a triad on the board using C Major as the example (C – E – G).
• Explain the four types of triads with examples:
  • Major (happy, bright) → C Major (C – E – G)
  • Minor (sad, moody) → A Minor (A – C – E)
  • Diminished (tense, unstable) → B Diminished (B – D – F)
  • Augmented (mysterious, unsettling) → C Augmented (C – E – G#)

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2. Aural Recognition – Identifying Triads (15 minutes)

• Play different triads on the keyboard.
• Students use a worksheet to label them as Major, Minor, Diminished, or Augmented.
• Recommended Listening Examples:
  • Major → Beethoven’s Ode to Joy (C Major)
  • Minor → Adele’s Someone Like You (A Minor in the verse)
  • Diminished → Jaws Theme (B Diminished)
  • Augmented → The Beatles’ Oh! Darling (opening augmented chord)
• Discuss how composers use different triads to enhance emotion.

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3. Performance & Composition – Playing Triads (15 minutes)

• Option 1: On a Keyboard/Piano
  • Each student finds a major and minor triad on their instrument.
  • Progress to diminished and augmented triads.
• Option 2: On Guitar or Ukulele
  • Demonstrate basic triad shapes for major & minor chords.
  • Students try different variations.
• Creative Task:
  • In pairs, create an 8-beat chord progression using at least three types of triads.
  • Experiment with emotions created by the chords.

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4. Reflection & Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

• Class discussion: "Which triads did you find easiest/hardest to recognise and play?"
• Exit ticket:
  • Each student writes one thing they learned about triads and how they can be used in music.
• Homework: Listen to a favourite song and identify at least two triads used within it.

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Assessment & Differentiation

Assessment

• Observation of student participation in listening and performance activities.
• Aural recognition worksheet.
• Exit tickets to gauge understanding.
• Informal feedback given during performance activities.

Differentiation Strategies

• For advanced students: Introduce chord inversions or seventh chords.
• For students struggling with music theory: Pair them with a peer mentor for hands-on guidance.
• For instrumental variety: Allow students to demonstrate triads using any instrument they feel comfortable with.

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Extension Activity (Optional)

Students create their own short composition using at least three triad types and present it in the next lesson.

Teacher’s Reflection:

• What worked well in the lesson?
• Were students engaged in the aural and performance sections?
• Did students successfully understand and apply triad concepts?

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Next Lesson Preview

• Further analysis of triads in popular and classical music.
• Exploring how triads are used in different genres.
• Introducing chord progressions and their impact on songwriting.