Triad Trainer

Find the same three-note chord across the neck.

A triad is a chord made from three different notes: a root, a third, and a fifth. The root gives the chord its name. For example, a C major triad contains C, E, and G.

The Triad Trainer shows major, minor, diminished, and augmented shapes on three neighboring strings across the neck. Compare inversions: versions of the same chord with a different chord note at the bottom. Hear each shape strummed or played note by note, then practice moving between them. These smaller shapes help you explore beyond open chords, find smoother chord changes, and connect chords to melodies.

Select a number in an image to see its explanation.

Triad Trainer

1Root

Choose the note the chord is built on. For example, choose C to study a C chord.

2Quality

Choose the type of triad: major, minor, diminished, or augmented. For example, select Major with a C root to see C major shapes.

3String set

Choose which three neighboring strings to play. Try the top three strings first, then compare the same chord on another set.

4Playback style

Choose Strum to hear the three notes together or Arpeggio to hear them one at a time.

5Guitar

Choose the guitar sound used for playback.

6Tempo

Move the slider to set the playback speed in beats per minute.

7Play / Stop

Press Play to hear the four triad shapes in sequence; press it again to stop.

8Save favorite

Tap the star to save the current triad setup in Favorites.

9Triad labels

Open the options beside Play to show note names, interval numbers, or suggested fingers on the diagrams.

10Enlarge a diagram

Tap a triad diagram to view it at a larger size.

11Hear one shape

Tap the play button next to a diagram to hear that shape on its own.

12Show a shape

Tap Show on a card to add or remove that shape from the larger fretboard. Tap a diagram to enlarge it, or its play button to hear it.

Triad label settings

13Intervals

Label notes by their role in the chord. For example, 1, 3, and 5 are the notes of a major triad.

14Notes

Show note names. For example, a C major triad contains C, E, and G.

15Fingers

Show suggested fretting fingers on the diagrams and fretboard. An open circle means play the open string.

Shared fretboard

16Shared fretboard

This larger diagram shows the shapes whose Show buttons are enabled, so you can compare their positions across the neck.