NotePlayMusicGrade 2: Tonic Triads Practice
Practise identifying major and minor tonic triads in treble and bass clefs.
Worksheet
Select TRUE or FALSE for the statement: This is the tonic triad of D minor.
Answer: ______________________
Select TRUE or FALSE for the statement: This is the tonic triad of F major.
Answer: ______________________
Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
Answer: ______________________
Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
Answer: ______________________
Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
Answer: ______________________
Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
Answer: ______________________
Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
Answer: ______________________
Answer Key
- TRUE — The notes shown are D, F and A, which is the tonic triad of D minor, so the statement is TRUE.
- FALSE — The notes shown are A, C and E (the tonic triad of A minor), not F, A, C, so the statement is FALSE.
- G major — The triad is G, B, D, so the key is G major.
- D major — The triad is D, F sharp, A, so the key is D major.
- E flat major — The triad is E flat, G, B flat, so the key is E flat major.
- F major — The triad is F, A, C, so the key is F major.
- A minor — The triad is A, C, E, so the key is A minor.
1. Select TRUE or FALSE for the statement: This is the tonic triad of D minor.
💡 Spell the named minor key's first, third and fifth notes, then compare them with each staff position.
2. Select TRUE or FALSE for the statement: This is the tonic triad of F major.
💡 Read the bass-clef notes from the bottom up, then compare them with degrees one, three and five of the named key.
3. Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
💡 Name the three line notes, then compare the root and quality with each proposed tonic triad.
4. Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
💡 Read the root and fifth, then check the accidental on the middle note to distinguish the two keys with the same tonic.
5. Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
💡 Read the bass-clef root and the two notes above it; include both written flats when comparing the choices.
6. Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
💡 Start with the bottom bass-clef note and count up in thirds; compare the resulting three notes with each key's tonic triad.
7. Select the correct key for this tonic triad.
💡 Use the ledger lines to name the root, then compare the third and fifth with the choices.
What this practice covers
- Identify major and minor tonic triads from notated chords.
- Compare a triad's root, third and fifth with the named key.
Need a reminder? Distinguish major and minor tonic triads
A tonic triad contains scale degrees 1, 3 and 5. For F major, those pitches are F–A–C; for D minor, D–F–A; and for A minor, A–C–E. Major and minor triads may share a root and fifth but differ in their third.
Read all three written pitches before judging a triad. Apply any sharps or flats from the key signature: the D major tonic triad needs F sharp, while D minor uses F natural.
How to work it out
- Name the key and spell its first, third and fifth scale notes.
- Check each notated pitch, including accidentals; the three notes must match the key’s tonic triad.
Worked example
Which tonic triad uses E flat, G and B flat?
E flat is the root, G is its major third and B flat is its fifth. These spell the E flat major tonic triad.
Watch for this mistake
Three notes stacked in thirds are not automatically the tonic triad of the named key; the root and altered third must agree.
Happy or sad? One note decides
Hear C major turn into C minor when one note drops a semitone, then hear the same change in Frère Jacques.