Printable worksheet
Triad Identification Worksheet (Printable, with Answers)
Free printable triad identification worksheet: name the root and quality of major, minor, diminished and augmented triads. Answer key included.
Triad Identification Worksheet (Printable, with Answers)
Sheet #
Name Date Score /
Answer key
Triad Identification Worksheet (Printable, with Answers) · Sheet #
How to use it
- Choose a difficulty, an inversion option and whether the chords appear on a staff or as note names.
- Press the new-sheet button for a fresh set of questions, or reuse a sheet through its seed number.
- Name each triad (root and quality, plus the inversion if you chose first, second or mixed).
- Show the answers to check your work, or print the question page and the separate answer page.
What this exercise practises#
A triad is three notes stacked in thirds. This worksheet shows you triads either on a staff or as a list of note names and asks for the root and the quality (major, minor, diminished or augmented). If you choose first, second or mixed inversions you also name the inversion.
How to solve a question#
- Put the notes in thirds. If they are not already stacked, move notes by octaves until each note is a third above the one below. The lowest note of the stacked version is the root.
- Measure the two thirds. Major third + minor third = major; minor third + major third = minor; two minor thirds = diminished; two major thirds = augmented.
- Find the inversion from the lowest note actually written: root (root position), third (first inversion, 6) or fifth (second inversion, 6/4).
Difficulty levels#
- Easy: major and minor triads only. Roots are the seven natural notes plus B♭, E♭, A♭ and F♯, and the chord is kept close to the staff (at most one ledger line).
- Medium: adds diminished and augmented triads, and roots such as D♭, G♭, C♯, D♯ and G♯. No double sharps or double flats.
- Hard: all four qualities on any root, including C♭, F♭, E♯ and B♯, with double sharps and double flats where correct spelling needs them. In mixed-clef mode the alto clef also appears.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the root of a triad that is not in root position?
Rearrange the notes into a stack of thirds (letter names that skip one letter, such as E-G-B). The bottom note of that stack is the root. For A-C-E in any order the root is A, because A, C and E are three consecutive thirds.
How can I tell major, minor, diminished and augmented triads apart?
Measure from the root. Major: major third and perfect fifth. Minor: minor third and perfect fifth. Diminished: minor third and diminished fifth. Augmented: major third and augmented fifth.
How do I tell the inversion?
Look at the lowest note. Root at the bottom is root position, the third at the bottom is first inversion (figured bass 6), and the fifth at the bottom is second inversion (figured bass 6/4).
Why are some notes written with double sharps or double flats?
Triads are always spelled in thirds, so a chord such as F-sharp augmented has to contain C double sharp, not D. The hard level includes these spellings on purpose.
Can I print the worksheet with an answer key?
Yes. The print layout puts the questions on one page and the answers on a separate page.