Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Music
Curriculum Theme: Music Theory
Previous Lesson: Transposition: Melody Shift Between Keys and Intervals.
Topic: Triads
Subject Matter: Degrees of the diatonic scale, primary triads in major scales, secondary triads in major scales, structures of four types of triads, finding roots and building triads by adding third and fifth.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify the degrees of the diatonic scale.
Define a triad.
Distinguish between primary and secondary triads.
State the structure of four types of triads.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of triads in understanding musical harmony.
Develop an interest in analyzing and constructing chord structures.

Psychomotor Domain:

Build primary and secondary triads from given roots.
Classify constructed triads as primary or secondary.
Complete triads across a given major scale.

Collaborate with peers to identify and build various triads.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum (Senior Secondary Music)
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools
New System Music for Senior Secondary Schools Book 1

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Triad charts
Diatonic scale posters
Keyboard diagram
Chord building worksheets

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the basic building blocks of harmony in music. Knowing how to form and identify triads is important for reading music, playing instruments, and even composing simple melodies, which are essential skills in music education.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of major scales, intervals, and staff notation.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Triads

Degrees of the Diatonic Scale

The degrees of the diatonic scale are the names given to each note within a scale, indicating its position relative to the tonic (first note).

The following are the degrees of the diatonic scale:

1st degree: Tonic
2nd degree: Supertonic
3rd degree: Mediant
4th degree: Subdominant
5th degree: Dominant
6th degree: Submediant
7th degree: Leading Note

Definition of a Triad

A triad is a chord consisting of three notes built on superimposed thirds. It typically consists of a root, a third above the root, and a fifth above the root.

Structures of Four Types of Triads

Triads can be classified by their intervallic structure from the root:

Major Triad: Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th (e.g., C-E-G)
Minor Triad: Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th (e.g., C-Eb-G)
Augmented Triad: Root + Major 3rd + Augmented 5th (e.g., C-E-G#)
Diminished Triad: Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th (e.g., C-Eb-Gb)

Primary Triads in Major Scales

Primary triads are the most important chords in a major key. They are built on the Tonic (I), Subdominant (IV), and Dominant (V) degrees of the scale.

For example, in C Major:

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

Secondary Triads in Major Scales

Secondary triads are built on the Supertonic (ii), Mediant (iii), and Submediant (vi) degrees of the major scale. The leading note (vii°) forms a diminished triad.

For example, in C Major:

ii (Supertonic) Triad: D-F-A (minor)
iii (Mediant) Triad: E-G-B (minor)
vi (Submediant) Triad: A-C-E (minor)
vii° (Leading Note) Triad: B-D-F (diminished)

Building Triads by Adding Third and Fifth

To build a triad, start with a root note. Add a third above the root, and then add a fifth above the root. The quality of the third and fifth determines the type of triad.

Example: To build a C Major triad:

Start with C (root).
Add E (a major third above C).
Add G (a perfect fifth above C, or a minor third above E).

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 the previous lesson on major scales. The teacher then introduces the topic “Triads” by asking pupils if they know what three notes played together are called.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, recall previous knowledge, and attempt to answer the teacher’s question.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson and link it to prior knowledge.

Step 2: Degrees of the Diatonic Scale

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Drilling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of scale degrees and their names using a diatonic scale poster. The teacher drills pupils on identifying the degrees in various major scales.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the poster, and participate in the drilling exercise by naming scale degrees.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can identify the degrees of the diatonic scale.

Step 3: Definition and Structures of Triads

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines a triad and explains its basic structure (root, third, fifth). The teacher then explains and demonstrates the four main types of triads (major, minor, augmented, diminished) using a keyboard diagram and triad charts.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and observe the demonstrations on the keyboard diagram and charts.
Learning Point: Pupils can define a triad and understand the structure of different triad types.

Step 4: Primary Triads in Major Scales

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what primary triads are and identifies them by their scale degrees (I, IV, V) in a major scale. The teacher demonstrates how to build these triads in a specific major key (e.g., C Major) using the keyboard diagram and triad charts.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and identify primary triads as demonstrated by the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify and build primary triads in major scales.

Step 5: Secondary Triads in Major Scales

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what secondary triads are and identifies them by their scale degrees (ii, iii, vi, vii°) in a major scale. The teacher demonstrates how to build these triads, highlighting their qualities (minor, diminished).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and identify secondary triads and their qualities.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify and understand secondary triads and their qualities in major scales.

Step 6: Building Triads

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes chord building worksheets and guides pupils through exercises to find roots, add thirds and fifths, and classify the resultant triads. The teacher provides support and feedback.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work on the worksheets, building and classifying triads under the teacher’s guidance.
Learning Point: Pupils practice building and classifying triads independently.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Define a triad.
Mention the degrees of the diatonic scale.
List the three primary triads in a major scale.
State the structure of a major triad and a minor triad.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson on triads and assigns homework: “Construct all primary and secondary triads in the key of G Major.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and prepare for further practice.

Lesson Keywords

Triad – A chord of three notes built on superimposed thirds.
Diatonic Scale – A seven-note scale with specific whole and half step patterns.
Primary Triads – Triads built on the I, IV, and V degrees of a scale.
Secondary Triads – Triads built on the ii, iii, vi, and vii° degrees of a scale.
Root – The foundational note of a chord.
Third – The interval of three scale degrees above the root.
Fifth – The interval of five scale degrees above the root.
Major Triad – A triad with a major third and perfect fifth above the root.
Minor Triad – A triad with a minor third and perfect fifth above the root.
Augmented Triad – A triad with a major third and augmented fifth above the root.
Diminished Triad – A triad with a minor third and diminished fifth above the root.

Differentiation

For struggling learners, the teacher will provide simplified charts and more one-on-one guidance during triad building activities. Advanced learners will be challenged with identifying and building triads in minor keys or constructing inversions of triads.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that pupils have a solid understanding of major scales and intervals before introducing triads. Use clear visual aids and allow ample time for practical exercises on the keyboard or staff to reinforce learning. Encourage active participation and questioning throughout the lesson.