Harmony
The result produced when tones are sounded simultaneously.
Triad
A three-note chord consisting of a root, third and fifth The four kinds of triads are major, minor, diminished and augmented.
Major Triad
A triad consisting of a root, major third and perfect fifth.
Minor Triad
A triad consisting of a root, minor third and perfect fifth.
Diminished Triad
A triad consisting of a root, minor third and diminished fifth.
Augmented Triad
A triad consisting of a root, major third and augmented fifth.
Root Position
A chord that has the root in the bass.
First Inversion
A chord that has the third in the bass.
Second Inversion
A chord that has the fifth in the bass.
Seventh Chord
A chord consisting of a root, third, fifth, and seventh.
Figured Bass
A bass part with numbers that indicate the intervals of harmony that are to be played above the bass note.
Roman Numerals
Used to represent a chord, indicating the scale degree corresponding to its root note. Focuses on the function and key relationship of the chord in harmony.
Third Inversion
A seventh chord that has the seventh in the bass.
Macro Analysis
The method of writing down chord names that may be used along with or instead of Roman numeral harmonic analysis.
Circle Progression
A harmonic progression when root motion is equal to up a fourth or down a fifth.