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.
Piano, C3 to C5. Notes in this scale, low to high: C3 (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), Eb3 (flat 3), E3 (3), G3 (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), C4 (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad), Eb4 (flat 3), E4 (3), G4 (5 of C Major Triad and 5 of C Minor Triad), C5 (root of C Major Triad and root of C Minor Triad).
Both scales above are drawn on one piano keyboard 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)