I IV V Triads all over the fretboard: how to master this crucial skill

[@mitjasainio8151]

This is going to be a long one, but will probably be buried in the comment section all the same. I really only got into music some 7 years ago. I played bass in primary school, but was always more interested in video games. Then in lower secondary I became interested in actually listening to music. I picked up the bass again, and taught myself a couple of songs. I was really into Nirvana back in those days, and had just recently heard their MTV Unplugged cover of Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam. I wanted to learn to play the song, and tried looking up a bass lesson on KZbin. No luck. However, I did find your guitar lesson on the song. It turned out to be really simple, just three chords. I noticed it was part of a series of beginner lessons. I was intrigued enough by that one lesson to take a look at the rest of the beginner's course, and so I started learning to play the guitar. I've come a long way since then. Nurturing the spark I got from that lesson has given me some amazing opportunities. I've gone on trips to new places and got to know wonderful people. And then there's the playing. It has been my favourite hobby ever since, and it continues to give me so much every day. It helps me express feelings I didn't even know I have. It lets me understand and thus enjoy music in a whole other way. So what I wanted to do was to thank you, Adrian. I might never have changed the 4 strings for the 6, or carried on playing music, if it weren't for you. I've also been trying to use more triads in my playing recently, so this is pretty cool.

[@leehacker6001]

this guy is a very good teacher. he has everything it takes and it definitely shows

[@tomask.3983]

What I love about this lesson is that it is NOT some "quick fix", quite the opposite. But it is a structured way forward, learning the triads all over the fretboard and I like the fact that it is going to take some time, as long as I know what to do. This way this lesson is more like having a "live guitar teacher" who gives you a lesson to take home and practice, "´til we meet again next time", sort of!

[@davejl79]

You have a knack of answering the "why?" in my head just after you explain the "how'. Great teacher.

[@70zenboy]

Having progressed from bass to 6 string I always found I was limited to barre chords and the like. After learning the importance of the triad inversion thing from you and Tomo Fujita I now can play chords all over the neck and have a way better understanding of the fretboard too. Cheers.

[@beqaafrasidze1245]

I really dislike the progressed from bass to guitar. I really don't consider bass to be an easier version of Guitar

[@jayferler4617]

@@beqaafrasidze1245 it definitely is a lot easier. Just as fun. But there’s a hell of a lot more you can do with a guitar. The fingering is much harder too

[@70zenboy]

@@beqaafrasidze1245 I never implied bass was an easier instrument to play. Merely mentioned progressing in the sense of as a musician adding another instrument to my arsenal was “progressing”. Bass is still my first love and will always remain my favourite. 🤘🏼

[@gagslovedotcom]

As someone who plays both but has much more time on bass, the whole G to B string 'glitch' throws me off all the time. I get chords fine but all those years of practicing scales on bass makes my hands and brain want to assume every string is tuned in fourths.

[@dougsmith8430]

Excellent point… very difficult to retrain the muscle memory and approach!

[@zigzagwanderer9531]

Been noodling with triads for a while with some results, but this lesson has put it together logically and shown me the direction I need to go with it.

[@paulpulati9613]

Great lesson, Adrian, and it comes along at just the right time for me in my deep dive into the fretboard. Fretboard knowledge indeed should be learned at the beginning stages of learning to play guitar. All of you beginners out there, LEARN THE FRETBOARD!!!..... Take it from one who didn't. When you learn to SEE it, amazing things happen......... 👍 Thanks very much, and keep up the good work.

[@kellyreinoso4827]

We all connect with certain teachers. Your lessons really inspire me. Thank you.

[@terrycurtin1008]

Excellent work Adrian. I am nearly 67. Played pro for 3 decades. Was signed with UKs Chysalis when they went belly up. You detail has brought me back to life as a player. We didn't have you tube. We didn't know we were playing a pentatonic scale. Lol. We did of course. Best teacher on the web. Yes better than the big name studio guys some I know well You keep it simple and suddenly things come together instead of flying over peoples head. Great job. Patron cash on the way

[@insalinity5558]

For me, I find it easiest to learn by contextualising the theory. The techniques you show in your video are almost exactly the approach I have taken over the past 5 weeks to internalise triads and their inversions. I would focus on a string set , understand the root, first, and second inversions by harmonising the C major scale up and down the neck until I was comfortable and then straight into progressions. I IV V, i iv V, ii V I IV, ii V i IV, I vi ii V, iii IV V, iii V i IV. It starts to come together pretty quickly once you see the relationships. After that I would take lead-sheets from the Real Book and do effectively the same thing, using the nearest triads. Then onto the next strings set, and then the next. Awesome lesson; I took a lot out of your melody approach.

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

Am really enjoying this lesson! In particular because I can the the relationship to the “CAGED” shapes which when looked at sequentially, has made finding the other triad shapes easier.

[@Edward-MTBKR]

I was looking for a professional video on learning Triads, and it doesn't get better than this. Outstanding Instructor and presentation.

[@JeighNeither]

The Tele thru the vox sounds delicious. They both have amazing tone.

[@dan-3268]

Thanks for this video. I've actually been learning triads for the past 3 days, and today I realised I didn't know why I am learning them apart from maybe becoming more familiar with the fretboard. So it's good to know it will come in handy. Cheers!

[@joevannucci1392]

Thanks for doing these lessons. This stuff is so important. Next, it would be nice to learn how to combine this with the major scale in the associated CAGED positions. In your spare time, of course.

[@Rambler131]

The best TRIAD video.. your so calm and relaxing, I can actually understand what you're talking about.. Good Job!!! Bravo!!

[@redfox8626]

Thanks for sharing Adrian. I love your content and your laid back presentation style it makes me feel that it is actually possible to improve. Great Job and keep it up...

[@venusstefan918]

Adriano,j'm grateful. You're vero cool 😎

[@michaelbledsoe1060]

I use the triads all the time to occupy different sound positions within the song. They are great for staying out of the way. Great info.

[@spanishtickle5684]

Well put. They sound nice, add nice accompaniment and don't dominate

[@thecaveofthedead]

Those melodies you pulled out towards the end really reminded me of Sub-Saharan African pop music from the '70s and '80s. I wish I'd learned about triads as a beginner. They're so useful and simultaneously easy to play. And if you're an electric guitar player in a band context, you tend to learn that you want to avoid taking up space for the bass guitar anyway. Despite being a committed tube amp player, I'm definitely on the lookout for a box that I can replace my rig with if I don't want to lug a bunch of stuff. The tech has got so good that you can get all of the sound you want taking only a guitar in a case or gig bag with a rig replacement box in the bag. Then we can finally turn up to gigs like trumpet players do.

[@danturner6063]

Thank you for all your videos. By far the most articulate, logical and demonstrative training on YT. I've been playing for decades and always learn something important to progress.

[@buddhamus]

Nice lesson. I loved your suggested way to practice the triads. You've made the practice lesson less mechanical and more musical, plus a lot more fun. It sinks into the brain and fingers easier and a bit faster. I also enjoy the part where you provide us with a look into the gear you use. Thanks again for another great video.

[@adylp7818]

Great video…really thought provoking. Lots to practice and this will keep me going for some time. Love the way you have a musical example to put the theory into practice.

[@SjaakShirly6559]

Yes! Triads and CAGED are more crucial imo then knowing all the scales.

[@thehomefront1905]

Could you please explain why? I'd Appreciate it.

[@Burritocattt]

@@thehomefront1905 they bring you a long way in learning how to play all over the neck. Ultimately everything is connected, so those triads and caged shapes will make it very easy to learn scales afterward.

[@davejl79]

@@thehomefront1905 it's a confusing statement. Learn the intervals that make up the major scale, then you can see how the major triads fit into this pattern. CAGED is also made up of the intervals of the major scale, but I would put it to one side when thinking in terms of triads and intervals.

[@jdb2722]

@@thehomefront1905 nice thing about caged and triads is it gives you the notes of the chord. Which will sound best when used during soloing. Helps you learn the scale patterns as well.

[@skobywankenobi]

Boxes just create shapes. Failure and experience make music. I suppose there is a balance somewhere, but personally I haven't f been able to find one, and I'm approaching my 3rd decade of playing :/

[@jimasphere]

Excellent video. Wished I had known the connections 40 years ago. Better late than never! Thanks!

[@antoniogee2018]

Wow, great lesson! I have been studying triads for about year now and coming up with my own ways to practice them This lesson really takes it to that next level and combines things in a more logical and musical way. Thanks!

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

Am really enjoying this lesson! In particular because I can the the relationship to the “CAGED” shapes which when looked at sequentially, has made finding the other triad shapes easier. For instance by superimposing CAGE shapes over the triads you demonstrate, it leads to the exact fret where the next triad is located.

[@colinsykes6883]

Excellent. Working on triads for a while and this gives me more enthusism to continue. Plus the pdf's give excellent support. Will try do my own in other keys !

[@igavehimadollar3354]

i always save these to a playlist and on afternoons when ive got time i go through them.As im getting older im thinking its more and more important to learn new things.Thanks for the tips nice playing and a really sweet tele

[@john_atco]

Good instructive video..I started using triads after studying 1 Country Blues/folk & open tunings 2 Soul/ Funk/Jazz 3 The guitar playing of Jimi Hendrix. This was before tutorials became widely available. Today I rarely use Barre chords finding them clumsy except for heavy rock/power chords. Moving from a barre chord to a solo, in my opinion, is less smooth. Other players may disagree. Cheers.

[@station2station544]

I like these avenues. And the fact that Adrian matched his frames to his neck finish. Thumbs up given.

[@shanebrbich5698]

G’day Addy! Thanks to yourself and (Dr) Eric Haugen , this is where I’m at with my practice work and tying everything you guys (and more). Maybe simple however, it’s working for me! Cheers mate 👍🇦🇺

[@jemsophia]

oh my godddddd i've been playing guitar for >20 years and this blew my mind

[@scenario1236]

Another fantastically VALUABLE lesson Adrian continues to opened up my musicality. This is Gold

[@looking4crossroads135]

I love that feeling when things are coming together. Brain and fingers. Thanks.

[@Ones_Complement]

The real level up is when you start to be able to visualize these layered across your full diatonic/major scale. I'd add the 6 as well (2 and 3 are less common).

[@dougsmith8430]

The better I have become on Guitar, the more I realize just how OUTSTANDING Adrian is as a Teacher ! Thank you Adrian, this is such a great lesson on the all important use of Triads! As far as ACCOMPANIMENT? The guys I jam with once in a while love the fact that I am accompanying them fluidly without stepping on their playing through the use of Triads!

[@notfromearth8496]

This is phenomenal mate. Thanks a bunch.

[@lspyderp]

Lawrence, u make me sick, because you’re a f-ing genius, I forgot about some of your older stuff & now that I see this I’m going back to start all over again ! You remind me of my guitar teacher who’s from Manchester. Your both very dry witted and geniuses ! Great lesson ! You r the man !

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I'm just starting on the ukulele, both the tenor and baritone. This was very helpful, merci beaucoup,

[@AmpAHolic-wn6mr]

Very cool and informative lesson. Many of us know and use these changes without ever knowing. This really brings it all together and defines the concept as a whole. It also appears the CAGED system is at work here. Thank you.

[@druwk]

Great Lesson! And, yes, there is a certain amount of TIME (Things I Must Earn) to fold all this information into the unconscious music machine! Both playing and practicing AND letting it sink in. Learning the notes of the guitar and this approach has started to open up my fret board visualization. I like trying to continue the mapping with Arpeggios and the associated Pentatonic as well…more TIME. I still not at the point where I can’t seamlessly add them into my jams at tempo, but can work around the fret board during practice.

[@eddiejr540]

I’m right there with ya...it takes so much time AND discipline to stay with it !!!

[@stevescuba1978]

I'm just starting into wandering around the fretboard, and this will help so much! I always start with cool little licks, then I don't know where to go to get back to my rythm

[@crvdutch1536]

Best triad lesson I have seen to date. Thank so very much.

[@CraigFranklinmusic]

Excellent! I love triads although I am not fluent as I would like to be. One of my top songs I used some basic triads as backing chords then had a world class guitarist improvise over them and it was wonderful. Plus triads can break you out of the hum-drum “cowboy chords” and “bar chords”.

[@sheistcoff]

Good idea for the New Year beginning and good start for a must know boot camp exercise. Fall in!

[@rooguitar]

Great one Adrian. I can really relate on how i actually use triads in improv as much if not more than scale. You can do anything with triads inversions, they should be taught before scale. Great video :)

[@aardvark77]

Just a great video, Adrian! Probably the most practical and musical Triad exercise I’ve heard.

[@joeurbanowski321]

You’re right.. I learn much more by working out the shapes myself..👍🏼 Thanks.!

[@fabianreyes237]

This is great! I'll add it to my practice routine!

[@KP11520]

You have a very special gift, and way of sharing it! Endless Thank Yous!

[@andredecaires2]

It has taken me months to appreciate this lesson. Something starting to click. Thank you for opening up my mind.

[@rodcabotage2631]

Hey thanks for this video. I have been studying triads and didn't know what to do with them. Now I have a plan. Many thanks again

[@winstonsmith8240]

John Coltrane loved triads. Especially the 4 and 5. Cheers for this.

[@danepaulstewart8464]

Wow, I’m late to the party. Just found this channel now. Definitely good stuff here. Really good. 😎👍👍

[@jjiacobucci]

Love this channel. Very dry sense of humor......”some guitar techniqueey type things”. Super chill coolness

[@Lawrence-I]

If you only try one thing, triads

[@acpg]

haha you should be writing the titles for my videos...I'd get mega views

[@Guitarisforgrins]

Triads are a game changer for sure. I've been working with diads lately and they also rule.

[@richardj9016]

That’s the root of the matter.

[@louiscyfer6944]

i have tried ads.

[@amusicment4829]

😂

[@deanc.5984]

Thank you. Will try harder to learn this year.

[@bert_b13]

Very nice to see this slowly mapped out. Thanks, Adrian.

[@David62B]

Great video / lesson was only thinking about triads so that will keep me busy for a while 👍👍👍

[@jimbinger]

It would be difficult to overstate what an important lesson you have produced. Kudos.

[@sandracloutier8230]

This is one of the best lesson i've ever seen! And one to keep in the library! I'llbe on this for the next week! This is the way to progress after many years of just playing songs learned by heart. Ilove your guitar and the matching glasses my friend! Super cool! I'm joining you on Patreon today!

[@mikestevens3174]

My favorite teacher!! Thank you Adrian!!

[@BANGKOKJUNGLE]

What a great lesson for all players…quintessential for any rhythm guitarist at the very least. Thanks🎸

[@nickloader9637]

What a great video. By far the best triads explanation I’ve heard explained. Thx.

[@JWEmbry-wc7qi]

Good info and beautiful tone from your guitar, thanks.

[@zazoo515]

Agree with the comments. You’re a great teacher. Nice chill vibe.

[@bbowersock1]

Thank you for connecting the dots for me!

[@petjobedet4650]

Very useful stuff. I play nylon string guitar and this sounds great there too. Thanks.

[@jorgedoering6952]

Wonderful! Beautiful lesson, GOD bless your virtue dude. Cheers!!!

[@mboyer68]

Iron Maiden number of the beast tour, they opened up for Judas Priest screaming for vengeance. 1982. It was my sophomore year of high school and this was my very first concert. I still have the concert pin with made in England on the back. Since then, Steve Harris has been my favorite bass player. I don't know but someone who I think does told me that Steve Harris uses triads, and when I hear him play, I can imagine triads, I can hear them, I think! So, now I play six string and thank you for teaching me triads! Cheers from Fairport NY!

[@acpg]

What a great first gig!! Yes, pretty sure Steve Harris would use a lot of triads, he's a very melodic and inventive player.

[@gmoneypoppy]

Very well put together - informative and clearly explained. I don't play guitar but have recently purchased an electric Baritone Ukulele to which I'm looking forward to applying these concepts (less shape changes to learn / apply)

[@gscgold]

This is an excellent explanation of triads you're a very good teacher

[@angeloostjen7819]

Really simple and nice ideas! Got a lot of fun playing your suggestions. Thanks! 🙏

[@scuttyark7283]

Without doubt the best triad lesson on utube. Thank you.

[@dowaliby1]

Great lesson, as usual! I subscribed and became a Patreon several months ago, and in that short time, I progressed far more as a guitarist than I ever had before. The lessons are clearly and patiently explained by very clearly by Adrian, who is a fantastic guitar player,. Special bonuses are provided for Patreons (for any monthly amount you may wish to contribute), including, but not limited to awesome backing tracks. Highly recommended@

[@squadgeman3247]

Excellent video. I remember trying to learn this stuff from a book when I was a kid and it was very daunting! Thankfully we have KZbin these days!

[@rowbags3017]

Just subscribed! I've been playing for more years than I care to remember, but this is a really refreshing no-nonsense approach to navigating the fretboard!

[@DougSmith-y4o]

Yet another fantastic lesson… Thank you Adrian!

[@riklionheart23]

Nice lesson. Funny enough during the clip I was wondering if I was hearing the Marshall or the Vox behind you and lo and behold it was a Kemper amp sim 😆 Goes to show that the quality of the sim’s are really good.

[@rickydaniel1573]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you. A great instructional video

[@dieselman7453]

This is some serious good info man ur bloody deadly lad cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪.. I’m going to see Tommy Emanuel tomorrow night in Dublin can’t wait thanks for the video 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🎸🎸🎸brian

[@stringman509]

I'm just onto triads great lesson thanks Colin UK 🇬🇧 👍

[@lightfoot413]

for sure alot to learn the triads...but if i learn some of them in a few different keys to start with then i sure have some fun..Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your laid back style...

[@samhelton2513]

Thanks so much for sharing this. Best triad lesson on the net.

[@ardiris2715]

This video gave me an interesting insight. The easier the concept on guitar, the more options it has to play it. The more complex, the fewer options. (:

[@Crema59]

Regardless of how good the instruction is, I happened to push LIKE by the impression of your video quality and lighting from the very first scene of your appearance.

[@fhidalgo]

This lesson is pure gold. Thanks.

[@bah667]

YOU Sir! Are a Gentleman and a Scholar! Thank you for all your info.

[@wmot206]

Thank you, Adrian. This is exactly what I need at the right time!

[@deeforty]

I've only just found your lessons, your great, love how you teach.

[@tomtucker8443]

Brilliant! Covers exactly what ive been trying to work out myself, but more completely. Great job, thank you!

[@markb6574]

Nice one Adrian. As you were playing it occurred to me this is pretty much the key to Neil Young’s soloing style. The more you explain the more I understand. Thank you.

[@rafa_guitar]

Yeah! you rock, awesome guitarrist and channel!

[@slickrick5811]

You are a great teacher...I've been trying to get triads for a good bit... but you got thru

[@sturusk3620]

Beautiful tone, I could listen all day.

[@absolutebeginner2733]

Really interesting stuff. Opens up the fretboard

[@carlparna]

great explanation for all serious learning guitarists

[@RBZ3]

Thanks a lot...probably the best video I have seen on using triads.

[@Jamestele1]

Great lesson for any guitarist. Also, I love that Tele! The dark-stained neck is gorgeous.

[@vitorfiorillo5927]

Awesome content here. Congrats, my friend!

[@josearalat]

Not since I recently started learning the piano have I really understood what chord inversion was. This is gold. Do you have a similar tutorial for minor triads?

[@cybrunel1016]

The minor triads will be the exact same idea, as long as you know where your 1,3,5's are, just flat the 3rd, 1, b3, 5 and you'll have all you minor triads. Same idea for Augmented triads, 1,3, #5 and Diminished triads 1, b3, b5. Learn all four groups. The piano is a great tool for learning guitar actually. Good luck,peace.