Triads

A triad is the core of every chord: a root, a third and a fifth. Played on the top three strings, triads are small, bright and easy to move, which is why rhythm players use them to cut through a band without clashing with the bass. This chapter teaches guitar triads you can find anywhere on the neck.

You start with root-position shapes on the G, B and high e strings and hear how lowering the third by a single fret turns major into minor. Then you learn inversions: the same three notes stacked three ways, giving you three shapes for every chord as you move up the neck. The last lesson puts them to work over a progression, choosing the closest inversion so fingers that share a note stay put. That's voice leading, and it's what makes a second guitar part sound smooth and pro.

Every tab exercise plays in the browser with a click. Listen to the top note of each shape: it's the melody you're playing with chords.