Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: Second Term
Week: 1
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Music
Curriculum Theme: Music Theory
Previous Lesson: .
Topic: Triads. Primary and secondary triads (root and inverted position triads)
Subject Matter: Meaning of triads (three-note chords built from 1st, 3rd and 5th notes), primary triads (I, IV, V), secondary triads (II, III, VI, VII), root position triads, inverted position triads (1st inversion, 2nd inversion), constructing a triad on a given root, writing 1st and 2nd inversion of triad II and VI

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define a triad.
Identify primary and secondary triads in a given key.
Explain the difference between root position and inverted position triads.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of triads as basic building blocks in music.
Listen attentively to examples of triads and their inversions.

Psychomotor Domain:

Construct a triad on any given root.
Write the 1st and 2nd inversions of triads II and VI in a given key.

Collaborate with peers in identifying different triad types.
Participate actively in class discussions and demonstrations.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
New System Music for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 2

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Keyboard
Chord chart
Manuscript paper
Staff board

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding triads is fundamental for pupils to grasp harmony and chord progressions in music. This knowledge enables them to analyze, compose, and perform music more effectively, forming a strong foundation for advanced musical studies.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have a basic understanding of scales, intervals, and note names.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Triads

Meaning of Triads

A triad is a chord consisting of three notes, typically built by stacking two intervals of a third above a root note. It forms the basic building block of harmony in Western music.

Construction of Triads

Triads are constructed from the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of a scale. For example, in C major:

Root: The first note (e.g., C)
Third: The third note above the root (e.g., E)
Fifth: The fifth note above the root (e.g., G)

Primary Triads

Primary triads are the most important chords in a key. They are built on the I (tonic), IV (subdominant), and V (dominant) degrees of the scale. In C major, these are:

I (Tonic): C-E-G
IV (Subdominant): F-A-C
V (Dominant): G-B-D

Secondary Triads

Secondary triads are built on the other degrees of the scale: II (supertonic), III (mediant), VI (submediant), and VII (leading tone). In C major, these are:

II (Supertonic): D-F-A
III (Mediant): E-G-B
VI (Submediant): A-C-E
VII (Leading Tone): B-D-F

Root Position Triads

A triad is in root position when its root note is the lowest note of the chord. The notes are stacked in ascending thirds (e.g., C-E-G).

Inverted Position Triads

Inverted position triads occur when a note other than the root is in the bass (lowest) position.

1st Inversion Triad (First Inversion)

The third of the triad is in the bass. The interval from the bass to the root is a sixth. (e.g., E-G-C for C major triad).

Example: Writing 1st Inversion of Triad II in C Major (D-F-A)

Step 1: Identify the root position triad: D-F-A
Step 2: Move the root (D) up an octave to become the highest note: F-A-D

2nd Inversion Triad (Second Inversion)

The fifth of the triad is in the bass. The interval from the bass to the root is a fourth. (e.g., G-C-E for C major triad).

Example: Writing 2nd Inversion of Triad VI in C Major (A-C-E)

Step 1: Identify the root position triad: A-C-E
Step 2: Move the root (A) and the third (C) up an octave to become higher notes: E-A-C

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews their previous knowledge on scales and intervals. The teacher then introduces the topic of triads.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, answer questions, and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are prepared for the new topic.

Step 2: Meaning of Triads

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a triad is, emphasizing that it is a three-note chord built from the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of a scale. The teacher demonstrates on the keyboard.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the demonstration, and take notes on the definition of a triad.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the fundamental definition of a triad.

Step 3: Construction of Triads

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to construct a triad on a given root using a C major scale as an example, showing the root, third, and fifth. The teacher also shows other examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the construction on the staff board and keyboard, and practice identifying the notes of a triad.
Learning Point: Pupils learn how to build a triad from a given root.

Step 4: Primary and Secondary Triads

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of primary (I, IV, V) and secondary (II, III, VI, VII) triads, listing examples in C major. The teacher plays these triads on the keyboard.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and differentiate between primary and secondary triads and note down the examples.
Learning Point: Pupils can distinguish between primary and secondary triads.

Step 5: Root Position Triads

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Clarification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a root position triad is, stating that the root note is the lowest note of the chord. The teacher provides examples on the staff board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and observe the examples of root position triads.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of a triad in root position.

Step 6: Inverted Position Triads

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and demonstrates 1st and 2nd inversions of triads, showing how the bass note changes. The teacher guides pupils through writing the 1st inversion of triad II and the 2nd inversion of triad VI using manuscript paper.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstrations, ask questions, and practice writing the inversions of triads II and VI on their manuscript paper.
Learning Point: Pupils learn to identify and write 1st and 2nd inversions of triads.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is a triad?
Name the primary triads in the key of G major.
How is a 1st inversion triad formed?
Write the root position and 2nd inversion of triad II in F major.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of triads, their construction, and inversions. The teacher assigns homework for pupils to practice writing different triads and their inversions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the assigned homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding of triads and prepare for further practice.

Lesson Keywords

Triad – A three-note chord.
Root position – A triad with its root as the lowest note.
Inversion – A triad with a note other than the root as the lowest note.
Primary triad – Triads built on the I, IV, and V degrees of a scale.
Secondary triad – Triads built on the II, III, VI, and VII degrees of a scale.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can provide more complex exercises, such as identifying triads in minor keys or analyzing simple chord progressions. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will offer one-on-one guidance and provide additional simple examples and visual aids.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure a keyboard or other melodic instrument is available for clear demonstrations. Encourage pupils to sing the notes of the triads to help internalize the sound. Provide ample manuscript paper for practice. Encourage collaborative learning by having pupils check each other’s work during practice sessions.