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‘Adam Maness | 9 Triad Pairs That Sound Great
9 TRIAD PAIRS THAT SOUND GREAT
( OpenstudioJazz.com
airs-that-sound-great
Whether you're playing a tune with a ton of changes like "Giant Steps", or a modal tune with
Just one chord like “Passion Dance", triad pairs are a super handy sound to have available.
They help define the harmonic structure through the melodic line and can be made into all
kinds of cool melodic patterns. Every chord presents us with several options. I'm including a
few of my favorites here but | strongly recommend that you find your own pairs and patterns
that sound good to you.
IS a simple concept: combine two diatonic triads and play them and their inversions in
succession, Let's jump in!
1. MAJOR
The major tonality gives us a few good options. Example 1A combines the C major and D
minor triad giving us a sound we might hear in church music or even pop:
Ex, 4A @
In Example 1B, we're going for a Lydian sound by combining an E minor with a D major. I've
pe dertrett
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written the triads as an 8th-note pattern:
Ex, 18
cmaj7din ‘Adam Maness | 9 Triad Pairs That Sound Great
2. MINOR 7
The Dorian mode gives us some rich opportunities for triad pairs. Example 2A is a basic sound
of Bb major and C minor with a new pattern - triplets:
Ey, 24
7
3 3 3 d
—— = se
Ha “te jhe# a HS
CMINOE =D MINOF 3
Example 28 is a super-hip sound using Eb major and F major. Check it out:
Ex 28
E-nar Maro F MAO
3. DOMINANT 7
The Dominant 7 sound is so flexible that | could make a whole blog post of triads for this sound
alone. I'll share three essentials here. First, the basic Bb major and C major:
Ex. 34
B-FLAT MATOR C MATO
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In Example 3B, we have a Lydian Dominant sound. C major and D major accomplish this:
Ex. 38 ork
co
oe =
e a oe
Cc mAToe =O MATOR
There are several options for an Altered Dominant sound. One of my favorites is the C
augmented and Gb major combination. Check it out:
Ex. 30
Cas,
ie ciarea
© AUGMENTED G-FLAT MATOR
4, HALF-DIMINISHED AND DIMINISHED
I like to play a Lecrian (with the natural 2) sound over the half-diminished chord. For this,
use Bb major and C diminished triads:
Ex. 4A
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The Diminished 7 chord can produce gorgeous triad pairs. | can’t recommend exploring this.
‘one on your own enough. To get started check out this sound of Ab major and D augmented:
Ex, 48
07
Afar oO
Maroe AUGMENTED
There are seemingly endless combinations to be discovered with this concept so take you
time getting the sounds that resonate with you. For some triad pair inspiration check
‘out Chick Corea’s early masterpiece, Now He Sings, Now He Sobs.
Happy practicing! — Adam Maness
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