Group 4: identifying triads in major keys
Note that you will need to work out which major key is being used first.
Activity 1
Match Tonic triad in E flat major, Subdominant triad in A major, Tonic triad in D major to the triads below.
Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.
Tonic triad in D major
Tonic triad in E flat major
Subdominant triad in A major
a.
b.
c.
- 1 = a
- 2 = c
- 3 = b
Answer
Tonic triad in D major. The key signature of two sharps signifies the major key of D major. The notes of the triad, the root, third and fifth, are D F♯ A, which means that this is the tonic triad in D major.
Tonic triad in E flat major. The key signature of three flats signifies the major key of E flat major. Bearing in mind that this is the bass stave, the notes of the triad, the root, third and fifth, are E♭ G B♭, which means that this is the tonic triad in E flat major.
Subdominant triad in A major. The key signature of three sharps signifies the major key of A major. The notes of the triad, the root, third and fifth, are D F♯ A. Since the root, the D, is the fourth above the tonic, A, it is the subdominant note, and therefore the triad is the subdominant triad in A major.