Definition of Major Triads
- the 2nd note is 4 semitones above the first
- the 3rd note is 3 semitones above the second.
Alternatively, a major triad is a chord with three notes such that:
- the second note is 4 semitones above the first
- the third note is 7 semitones above the first.
It's the simplest form of a major chord.
Uniformly spaced piano keys play major triads
Real layout virtual piano keys play major triads
The virtual piano above plays major triads in such a way that all the three notes are played at the same time by default. However, it can also play major triads with a slight delay between each note in ascending or descending order.
This virtual piano keyboard has additional extra features which are hidden by default. You can add or remove octaves, adjust the volume, turn sustain on and off, and choose from a selection of voices to hear the major triads played by different instruments. An overview of the full functionality is available on the home page of VirtualPiano.Online. To access these features click on the settings icon above the piano. It toggles which features are shown.
All-purpose virtual piano for self-study
Below is the most generic form of our virtual piano interface where the piano plays single notes. You can use it to practice playing major triads by picking the individual notes on your own.
Tick the CHORD checkbox to enter into chord playing mode. You will hear the chords. In addition, the chords you pick will be recognized and labeled to help you verify if you get the major triads right.
Piano diagrams illustrating all the 12 major triads
The white and black buttons above play major triads. They demonstrate the arithmetic rule where the second note is 4 notes to the right from the root note while the third note is still 3 more notes further to the right, so that if the root is a number x, then the two other notes are x+4 and x+7. This uniformity is harder to see on the actual piano keys because of the black keys being irregularly tucked between the white keys.