<p>I’m in first year music theory, and I’ve been having trouble hearing/distinguishing types of triads. Could anyone please list examples from notable songs of diminished, augmented, minor and major triads (more so the first two types)? I did a Google search, but I just found examples of triads in isolation. If anyone can give me some contextual examples, I’d really really appreciate the help. :)</p>
<p>(I know this probably isn’t the right site for this sort of question, but I just figured I’d ask because I’m on here all the time anyway. xD)</p>
<p>Diminished triads and particularly augmented triads are not very melodic in nature when played a note at a time, hence there are not going to be a lot of well-known songs that use them in that way. More often, these triads are used as short, chordal transitions between more stable sounding sections. It would be best if you could learn to identify them from the sound of the chord as a whole rather than from the sequence of individual notes. When you get to musical dictation later in the year, you will be glad that you did.</p>
<p>If you need to start with them in sequence before you can hear them as a whole, then you can find a diminished triad in the Beatles song “Michelle” as the first three notes of the phrase “go together well” or anytime they sing the French words “vont tres bien”. It is merely two minor thirds in a row.</p>
<p>The augmented triad is a very rare sequence of notes in a melody and I am still trying to think of an example in a tonal, singable song. I will let you know if I think of anything.</p>
<p>Posting the question here seems a fine idea - ear training questions have been asked before. You are also not alone in having trouble with ear training/aural skills classes. Many fine musicians who play/sing well in tune struggle with instant identification of triads, intervals, modes, etc even though they can easily fix an out of tune note or chord when performing.</p>
<p>I assume you’ve asked your prof. or TA for help and suggestions? Some schools also have tutors available for theory and ear training.</p>
<p>There are previous posts that suggest on-line software - free and for purchase:</p>
<p>This post is a year or more old, there may be more if you Google for ear training or theory programs.</p>
<p>As with most things musical, you will probably find PRACTICE to be the best way to overcome the difficulty! Play and sing the triads yourself, have others play for you, try the software programs, etc. Good luck!</p>
<p>DD says practice, practice, practice. Just keep listening to them over and over again. She had trouble too and it just took her more reps to get it than the instrumentalists.</p>
<p>I agree what others have written, seeing what my son is going through in his training. He is really knowledgeable in music theory, but picking things out by ear is difficult even for him (in one sense it is made even harder because he has perfect pitch, which works against what ear training teaches). I am assuming there is software out there that can help with the process, as others seem to have indicated, that may help, but in the end it is what Ellman said when asked about the way to Carnegie Hall, “Practice, Practice, Practice”</p>