Triads & Roman Numeral Progressions

Triads & Roman Numeral Progressions

While rhythm and melody drive techno, harmony (chords) provides emotional depth and color. In this module, you will learn how to build major and minor triads (three-note chords), analyze them using Roman numerals, and program a chord progression in your synth loop.

Core Music Theory & Sound Concepts

1. Chord Construction: Triads

• A triad is a three-note chord built in thirds (stacking alternate notes of a scale).
• Root: The starting note of the chord (e.g., C).
• Third: Determines if the chord is major or minor.
  • Major Third: 4 semitones above the root (bright, happy).
  • Minor Third: 3 semitones above the root (dark, sad).
• Fifth: 7 semitones above the root (adds stability).
• C Major Triad: C - E - G (Root - Major 3rd - Perfect 5th).
• C Minor Triad: C - E♭ - G (Root - Minor 3rd - Perfect 5th).

2. Roman Numeral Analysis

• Music theorists use Roman numerals to describe chord functions in a key. Capital letters are Major, and lowercase letters are minor.
• In the key of A Minor:
  • i (A Minor): A - C - E
  • iv (D Minor): D - F - A
  • v (E Minor) or V (E Major): E - G - B or E - G# - B
  • VI (F Major): F - A - C
  • VII (G Major): G - B - D
• A classic dark electronic progression is: i - VI - VII - i (A minor, F major, G major, A minor).

3. Voice Leading

• Voice leading is the art of moving from one chord to another with the least amount of note movement. Instead of jumping your whole hand, you invert chords (e.g., playing C-E-G, then shifting to C-F-A for F major, keeping the C note static).

Your Assignment Task

1. Experiment in the Synth Sandbox:
   • Set up a polyphonic synth sound (long decay, high sustain, soft cutoff).
   • Program a 4-bar progression in the key of C minor. Use the formula: i - VI - iv - v (C minor, A♭ major, F minor, G minor).
   • Adjust notes using Voice Leading so the individual note voices slide smoothly from step to step, keeping common notes static.
2. Write and Submit your Analysis:
   • Chord Spellings: Write out the individual note letters for each of the four chords in your progression (e.g., C minor = C, E♭, G).
   • Roman Numeral Identification: Translate the following progression in the key of D Minor into their respective note spellings: i - VI - VII - i.
   • Voice Leading Description: Explain how voice leading alters the acoustic transition between chords compared to jumping between block root-position chords.