Which scale degrees form a minor triad?

Which scale degrees form a minor triad?

• A. 1, 4, 5
• B. 2, 3, 6
• C. 1, 3, 5
• D. 2, 4, 6

Answer: (B)

In a major scale, triads are formed by stacking thirds on a single scale degree, and a minor triad has a minor third above the root followed by a major third. The triads that come out minor occur on the second, third, and sixth degrees. For example in C major: 2-4-6 gives D-F-A, where D to F is a minor third and F to A is a major third, so D-F-A is a minor triad. On 3-5-7 you get E-G-B, also a minor triad, and on 6-1-3 you get A-C-E, again minor. The first, fourth, and fifth degrees produce major triads, and the seventh degree yields a diminished triad. So the scale degrees that form a minor triad are the second, third, and sixth.

In a major scale, triads are formed by stacking thirds on a single scale degree, and a minor triad has a minor third above the root followed by a major third. The triads that come out minor occur on the second, third, and sixth degrees. For example in C major: 2-4-6 gives D-F-A, where D to F is a minor third and F to A is a major third, so D-F-A is a minor triad. On 3-5-7 you get E-G-B, also a minor triad, and on 6-1-3 you get A-C-E, again minor. The first, fourth, and fifth degrees produce major triads, and the seventh degree yields a diminished triad. So the scale degrees that form a minor triad are the second, third, and sixth.