Understanding Triads and Slash Chords in Music Theory

The 12 Major Triads/Slash chords music lesson in theory and practice:

Hi Guys,

Today, a look at altering harmony and cadences with triads, slash and altered chords.

To begin with let’s take a pedestrian V to I cadence,

Now, let’s add some colour to it.

A musical notation diagram showing a V to I cadence with altered substitutions to the Major key, including the slash chords Db/C and C/F for music theory lesson
Illustration of a V to I cadence with altered substitutions, showcasing the Db/C and C/F slash chords.

Here, we can see the slash chord of Db/C resolving to C/F:

The Db/C harmony creates a powerful dominant chord of Csus/b9/b13

Musical notation for Csus/b9/b13 chord with tablature for guitar. Example of slash chord Db/C
Musical notation illustrating the Csus/b9/b13 chord, showcasing its structure and components.

With this in mind let’s now apply this and cadence to the minor key [FmMaj7]

Musical sheet displaying a V to I cadence with altered substitutions for the minor key, featuring Db/C and FmMaj7 slash chords.
V to I cadence illustrating altered slash chord substitutions in a minor key.

Straight away, we can see and hear how easy it is to manipulate and alter the harmony with slash chords.

They also possess a unique flavour and colour that really shines out on the guitar due to the Major triads being very bright. This way they naturally cut through and resonate.

In this example, we will take a simple triad of F Major 1st inversion [F/A]

From this, we will add melodic notes/movement in the top and bottom to extend the harmony, and, finish with a 7sus4 cadence of F/G to Cmaj7#11

Music sheet showing chord substitution notations for F Major 1st inversion (F/A), F6/A, F#m7b5, and F/G with finger placement.
Visual representation of F Major triad variations, including F/A, F6/A, F#m7b5, and F/G, showcasing chord extensions.

Let’s now add this to a complete chord sequence:

A music sheet displaying harmonization techniques with chord notations including Em9, Am, C/G#, F/A, F6/A, F#m7b5, F/G, and Maj7#11.
Chord sequence demonstrating triads and harmonization techniques.

We will now take the simple melody below,

To exploit this, we will employ altered and slash chords starting with G7#9 moving to Eb/E

Sheet music illustrating melody notes with annotations for G7#9 and Eb/E chords.
Melody harmonization using the G7#9 and Eb/E slash chords.

We will now repeat this, but, add a chord of E/F in between to harmonise the Ab note:

Sheet music showing G7#9 and E/F slash chord for jazz fusion reharmonisation

Finally, resolving back to the Eb/E slash chord

Chord diagram showing E/Eb slash chord and diminished harmony with fingering positions on the guitar.
Chord diagram for E/Eb, illustrating finger placements for guitarists.

FULL HARMONISATION EXAMPLE:

Musical notation displaying John McLaughlin guitar melody notes and chords G7#9, Eb/E, and E/F, highlighting the harmonic structure, slash chord and how to re harmonise a melody in jazz fusion music.
John McLaughlin Guitar Harmonization with slash chords and altered chords

In this exercise we will play all 12 Major Triads over a single C [as root] Bass note.

Musical notation showing a progression of slash chord triads: Db/C, D/C, Eb/C, E/C, and F/C over a single bass note.
Chord progression visual for 12 Major Triads over a C bass note, illustrating various slash chords.
A musical sheet displaying the 12 Major Triads over a C bass note, highlighting various slash chord combinations.
An illustration displaying the progression of 12 Major Triads over a C bass note, highlighting various chord combinations.

Jazz Fusion Guitar Chords and Substitutions for Slash Chords

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, we will take a I Vi [VI] ii V V I cadence and re-harmonise it with fusion chord substitutions/slash chords

jazz-fusion-guitar-chords-reharmonisation-slash-chords-lesson-example

To begin with, we will make the chord of C Major into a C6/9 voicing that will resonate well on the guitar.

jazz-fusion-guitar-chords-reharmonisation-slash-chords-lesson-example

We, will now employ a slash chord for A7. Here, we will move a flattened 5th away and employ an Eb Triad over an E natural bass.

jazz-fusion-guitar-chords-reharmonisation-slash-chords-lesson-example

Let’s now exploit the Dm7 chord. For this we will use a 2nd inversion C Major triad over an F bass note. [Dm9 with an 11th in 1st inversion]

jazz-fusion-guitar-chords-reharmonisation-slash-chords-lesson-example

Now, let’s take the first Dominant substitution and go a flat 5th away once again. We will employ a Db Triad over a B bass: [as in an altered 1st inversion]

jazz-fusion-guitar-chords-reharmonisation-slash-chords-lesson-example

To manipulate this next Dominant chord we will put the flattened 5th [Db] in the bass and exploit a G triad on top:

To complete the sequence we will resolve back to the tonic chord of C Major but colour it with an F# to make it C Maj7#11

jazz-fusion-guitar-chords-reharmonisation-slash-chords-lesson-example

In terms of improvisation we can weave in and out of the re-harmonisation. Here, is an example for an improvised line:

john-mclauglin-guitar-chords-improvisation-licks-examples
john-mclauglin-guitar-chords-improvisation-licks-examples
john-mclauglin-guitar-chords-improvisation-licks-examples

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