How to Practice Triads for Voice Leading
What was the question?
An unknown member asked a deep technical question: "How do I practice the triad in relation to voice leading? What part of the triad is the part to hear?"
[01:02:02]
The core idea (in plain English)
Many guitarists think they know triads, but they only know static shapes. The Berklee/Mick Goodrick approach focuses on Triad Cycles. The magic of triads is that moving just one note in the voicing can change the entire chord function (transforming a C major triad into an E minor triad by moving C to B). This subtle movement is voice leading.
[01:03:49]
Fretboard breakdown (what to play)
Cycle 3 (Going Up): In C Major, move up in 3rds: C Major -> E Minor -> G Major -> B Diminished. Notice how only one note changes in the voice leading to create the next chord. [01:07:09]
Cycle 6 (Going Down): Go backward (Cycle 6): C Major -> A Minor -> F Major -> D Minor.
String Sets: Practice these cycles on every string set (e.g., strings 2-3-4, then 1-2-3).
Common mistake to avoid
Do not jump around the neck to find the next chord. The goal is "Voice Leading," which means finding the closest note. Usually, two notes stay the same, and one note moves. If you jump positions, you break the cycle. [01:07:09]
A 10-minute practice assignment
Choose one string set (e.g., strings 2-3-4). Start with a C Major triad. Move to an E minor triad by moving ONLY the root note (C) down to the 5th of Em (B). Continue this Cycle 3 logic for 5 minutes. [01:07:09]
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