Triads are the foundation of chords, harmony, and countless memorable songs. Knowing how to visualize and locate major triads on the guitar fretboard is a vital step toward fretboard fluency, improvisation, and music theory understanding.
Following up on our previous post—“12 Guitar Notes on the Fretboard”—this new series of videos offers a clear and direct way to map out all 12 major triads across the neck of the guitar.
Each short video in the playlist shows a visual fretboard diagram with every note involved in a major triad: root, major 3rd, and perfect 5th.
🎥 Watch the Complete Playlist: 12 Major Triads on the Guitar Fretboard
What This Video Series Offers
Each triad is broken down using a consistent visual format. There’s no fluff—just note locations. Whether you’re a teacher explaining triads to a beginner or a player studying arpeggios and voicing options, this playlist is an ideal tool.
You’ll see:
- The three chord tones of each major triad
- Their exact locations across all six strings
- Full fretboard diagrams for visualization and practice
The 12 Major Triads Covered
Below are all the triads featured in the playlist. Each one includes its component notes:
- C Major Triad (C–E–G)
- C♯ / D♭ Major Triad (C♯–E♯–G♯ / D♭–F–A♭)
- D Major Triad (D–F♯–A)
- E♭ Major Triad (E♭–G–B♭)
- E Major Triad (E–G♯–B)
- F Major Triad (F–A–C)
- F♯ Major Triad (F♯–A♯–C♯)
- G Major Triad (G–B–D)
- A♭ Major Triad (A♭–C–E♭)
- A Major Triad (A–C♯–E)
- B♭ Major Triad (B♭–D–F)
- B Major Triad (B–D♯–F♯)
Each triad video is short, making them great for quick review sessions or use during lessons.
Why Major Triads Matter
Major triads are not just chords—they’re building blocks of harmony. Knowing where each note lies:
- Helps you construct full chord voicings
- Teaches you the relationship between intervals
- Prepares you for learning arpeggios, inversions, and voice leading
- Reinforces your understanding of scale degrees and harmony theory
How to Use This Playlist
- Study one triad per day for 12 days.
- Print a blank fretboard chart and fill in each triad yourself.
- Play the chord tones one by one across the neck to internalize their sound.
- Use this in classrooms, private lessons, or individual practice.
Pair this playlist with the note mapping series we featured previously to create a complete note + chord foundation:
🔗 “12 Guitar Notes on the Fretboard” Blog Post
Conclusion
With these 12 Major Triads on the Guitar Fretboard, you now have a clear, organized, and practical toolset to visualize and apply essential chord structures in every key.
🎥 Watch the Full Playlist: Major Triads on the Guitar Fretboard
Whether you’re teaching others or growing as a player, this visual series helps bridge the gap between theory and real fretboard application. Add it to your practice routine today—and build from the roots up.
Looking to Expand Your Fretboard Knowledge? Check Out This Book
If you’re enjoying these triad visuals and want to go deeper into how chord shapes relate across the fretboard, we highly recommend CAGED: Mastering Guitar Chords and Fretboard Navigation by Henry Bahrou.
This practical and highly rated guide:
- Breaks down 12 major chords with neck diagrams and chord grids
- Shows how the CAGED system applies to minor chords, 7th chords, and scales
- Helps you see how chord shapes connect across the neck
- Offers a structured method to build fretboard confidence and chord fluency
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to unlock new creative possibilities, this book is a valuable resource that will help you truly unlock the full potential of the guitar fretboard.
📘 Grab the book on Amazon: CAGED by Henry Bahrou
