Major Triad vs Minor Triad
The C major triad and the C minor triad share 2 notes — C, G. From there, the C major triad adds E, while the C minor triad adds Eb.
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 0 E (3), fret 3 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 8 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 11 Eb (flat 3), fret 12 E (3), fret 15 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 20 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 23 Eb (flat 3), fret 24 E (3).
- A string: fret 3 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 6 Eb (flat 3), fret 7 E (3), fret 10 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 15 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 18 Eb (flat 3), fret 19 E (3), fret 22 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad).
- D string: fret 1 Eb (flat 3), fret 2 E (3), fret 5 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 10 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 13 Eb (flat 3), fret 14 E (3), fret 17 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 22 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad).
- G string: fret 0 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 5 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 8 Eb (flat 3), fret 9 E (3), fret 12 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 17 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 20 Eb (flat 3), fret 21 E (3), fret 24 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad).
- B string: fret 1 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 4 Eb (flat 3), fret 5 E (3), fret 8 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 13 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 16 Eb (flat 3), fret 17 E (3), fret 20 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad).
- e string: fret 0 E (3), fret 3 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 8 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 11 Eb (flat 3), fret 12 E (3), fret 15 G (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), fret 20 C (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), fret 23 Eb (flat 3), fret 24 E (3).
Both scales above are drawn on one guitar fretboard in the key of C. Notes belonging to both are drawn as a split two-color dot, so the notes they share and the notes unique to each are visible in one picture.
How the formulas differ
Scale degrees are the key-independent way to compare two scales — these stay the same in every key, and they are what actually distinguishes one scale from another.
| Scale | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Major Triad | R · 3 · 5 |
| Minor Triad | R · b3 · 5 |
Notes in common
| Note | In Major Triad | In Minor Triad |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | R |
| G | 5 | 5 |
Notes that differ
- Only in the major triad: E (3)
- Only in the minor triad: Eb (b3)