However, before identifying a triad, we actually need a triad, and most music is not so conveniently written! We first need to reduce the relevant music to the form of a triad, and one technique is the subject of this tip.

I recommend a simple three-step process:

Step 1: Combine

Combine all the notes into a single chord - only necessary if the music in question isn't already a single chord! Keep all notes in their original octave and clef.

Step 2: Eliminate

Starting from the bottom note up, eliminate any duplicate notes. This should leave you with just three notes, perhaps spread quite widely. Be careful if you are dealing with a chord spread over several staves or clefs.

Step 3: Transpose

Now transpose the two notes above the bottom note down by as many octaves as possible, into the same stave and clef as the bottom note, without going below the bottom note.

You should now have a recognisable triad, so identify it as usual, bearing in mind the key of course.

Here is an example question (the music is from the Rondo of Beethoven's Sonata op. 31 in G major).

Q. Identify the triad described by the indicated section of music. The key is G major.

So let's follow the three-step process: Combine Eliminate Transpose

We can now see that the triad we're left with is a root position triad, not a second inversion triad: so the correct answer is Ia or "root position triad on the tonic"

Quick Quiz

Here's an extra quick question for you, which you should be able to answer from the Beethoven example alone:

Q. What instrument was this music written for?

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