Major Triads

A major triad contains three notes: the Root (1), Major 3ʳᵈ (3), and Perfect 5ᵗʰ (5).

Example: E Major = E–G♯–B

A triad can be played in three positions depending on which chord tone is in the bass.

• Root Position: 1–3–5 (E–G♯–B)
• 1ˢᵗ Inversion: 3–5–1 (G♯–B–E)
• 2ⁿᵈ Inversion: 5–1–3 (B–E–G♯)

Using the NANDI Method
Use the interval pattern of fourths to decode major triads. Starting from the 1, 3, or 5, derive the remaining chord tones using simple fourth relationships instead of memorized shapes.

Root Position (1–3–5)

Start on the Root (1).
• One fourth up = 4, one fret lower = 3
• One fourth up from 3 = 6, two frets lower = 5

Pattern:
1 → 4 ↓1 = 3 → 6 ↓2 = 5

1ˢᵗ Inversion (3–5–1)

Start on the 3.
• One fourth up = 6, two frets lower = 5
• One fourth up from 5 = 1

Pattern:
3 → 6 ↓2 = 5 → 1

2ⁿᵈ Inversion (5–1–3)

Start on the 5.
• One fourth up = 1
• One fourth up from 1 = 4, one fret lower = 3

Pattern:
5 → 1 → 4 ↓1 = 3

Remember: When crossing the G–B strings, move the fourth one fret higher.

Watch the companion video below to learn how to identify the chord tones of major triads using the Circle of Fourths.

Major Triads in CAGED

Once you understand the three inversion formulas, you can locate major triads inside every CAGED shape using the same NANDI logic.

For all shapes, use these reference patterns:

Root Position: 1 → 4 ↓1 = 3 → 6 ↓2 = 5

1ˢᵗ Inversion: 3 → 6 ↓2 = 5 → 1

2ⁿᵈ Inversion: 5 → 1 → 4 ↓1 = 3

C Shape 

The C shape contains all three inversions.

• Root Position: 1–3–5
• 1ˢᵗ Inversion: 3–5–1
• 2ⁿᵈ Inversion: 5–1–3

A Shape

The A shape contains:

• Root Position (from the upper root)
• 2ⁿᵈ Inversion

A complete 1ˢᵗ inversion cannot be formed within the shape without leaving its boundaries.

G Shape

The G shape contains:

• Root Position
• 1ˢᵗ Inversion
• 2ⁿᵈ Inversion

E Shape

The E shape contains all three inversions.

• Root Position
• 1ˢᵗ Inversion
• 2ⁿᵈ Inversion

D Shape

The D shape cannot produce a complete root-position triad within the shape.

The 1ˢᵗ inversion uses the Major 2ⁿᵈ string relationship (D→E) as a reference to locate the 3ʳᵈ.

The 2ⁿᵈ inversion follows the standard NANDI pattern:

5 → 1 → 4 ↓1 = 3