Glynn1
Verified buyer
07/09/26
Good presentation of the topic of Triads. Very useful.
Back to Basics: Triads
Master the Fretboard One Triad at a Time
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About this course
Triads are at the core of every great rhythm part, lead line, and harmonic idea, and they’re essential for any guitarist looking to build command over their instrument. Mastering triads will help you build your confidence as a rhythm player, refine your ear, and play with more control and musicality in any style. But for guitarists at every level, learning how to practice them is often the most important step we take. That’s what the “Back to Basics” series is all about.
In Back to Basics: Triads, Ariel Posen leads you through a focused series of short, manageable workouts designed to help you internalize major and minor triad shapes across all string sets. You’ll play each workout alongside Ariel over a live drum groove, helping you develop your timing and dexterity with every chord change. Once you’ve covered the basics, you’ll move into jam sessions that connect your triads to real-world chord progressions.
“Whether you’re leveling up from late beginner to intermediate, or refining your current foundation as a more advanced player, this course will give you the clarity and control to really understand how harmony works all over your fretboard,” says Ariel.
You’ll explore:
So grab your guitar and let’s get back to the basics with Ariel Posen!
In Back to Basics: Triads, Ariel Posen leads you through a focused series of short, manageable workouts designed to help you internalize major and minor triad shapes across all string sets. You’ll play each workout alongside Ariel over a live drum groove, helping you develop your timing and dexterity with every chord change. Once you’ve covered the basics, you’ll move into jam sessions that connect your triads to real-world chord progressions.
“Whether you’re leveling up from late beginner to intermediate, or refining your current foundation as a more advanced player, this course will give you the clarity and control to really understand how harmony works all over your fretboard,” says Ariel.
You’ll explore:
- Major triad shapes and inversions across E, A, D, and G strings
- I–IV–V workouts to build muscle memory and shape transitions
- Minor triad shapes and i–iv progressions in all positions
- Mixed triad applications for diatonic movement and real song applications
- Hands-on practice over live grooves to strengthen your timing and touch
So grab your guitar and let’s get back to the basics with Ariel Posen!
What you'll learn
- Navigate between different voicings of the same chord
- Apply intervallic knowledge to new chord roots
- Optionally add embellishments to basic chord voicings
- Practice chord changes in sequence with backing track
- Understand that triad patterns remain consistent across different root notes
Release date: 10/28/2025 • 1h 43m runtime
Sample lessons
SECTION 1: Major Triad Workouts
Overview
Major Triads on the E String
Lesson & Demo
Workout 1: E String Major Triads
Performance
What's included
43 lessons • 36 charts • 3 Jam Tracks
Back to Basics: Triads
If you're serious about leveling up your playing, triads are one of the most powerful tools in any guitarist’s playbook—and this course is all about getting them under your fingers. Back to Basics: Triads is a focused series of practical workouts designed to help you drill triad shapes and inversions all across the fretboard.
Everything is rooted right here in G position to keep things simple and easily transposable. Once you've got the major and minor shapes across all the string sets, you'll be able to play triads in any key, anywhere on the neck. You’ll play each workout with me to a drum groove—so instead of practicing to a metronome, you'll be making music while building your chops.
By the end of the course, we’ll put it all together in a jam using real chord progressions. Whether you’re leveling up from late beginner to intermediate, or refining your foundation as a more advanced player, this course will give you the clarity and control to truly understand how harmony works across your fretboard.
So grab your guitar, and let’s get back to basics with triads.
Everything is rooted right here in G position to keep things simple and easily transposable. Once you've got the major and minor shapes across all the string sets, you'll be able to play triads in any key, anywhere on the neck. You’ll play each workout with me to a drum groove—so instead of practicing to a metronome, you'll be making music while building your chops.
By the end of the course, we’ll put it all together in a jam using real chord progressions. Whether you’re leveling up from late beginner to intermediate, or refining your foundation as a more advanced player, this course will give you the clarity and control to truly understand how harmony works across your fretboard.
So grab your guitar, and let’s get back to basics with triads.
Before We Begin, Let's Talk Triads
In this course, we’re diving deep into triads—three-note chords that form the foundation of so much of the music we play. We’ll learn how to build, invert, and use them all over the neck in root position, first inversion, and second inversion. Instead of relying on big open or barre chords, we’re going to start seeing how smaller, more focused voicings can sound clearer, more musical, and more intentional. We’ll work primarily in the key of G and G minor to keep things simple as we train our ears and fingers, but everything we learn will translate to any key. Along the way, we’ll play with just a single drum track—no extra instruments—so we can really hear the movement and relationships between the chords. This is all about helping us visualize the fretboard more clearly and connect our chord choices with real musical purpose. Let’s get started.
SECTION 1: Major Triad Workouts
All right, in this first chapter, we’re kicking things off by exploring triads and their inversions using the key of G as our foundation. We’ll learn how to find these shapes across every string set, giving us a clearer view of the fretboard as a whole. As we work through it, we’ll unlock 12 distinct voicings for just one chord—voicings we can use in any key—so we can start playing with more freedom, confidence, and clarity all over the neck.
Major Triads on the E String
In this first section, we’re putting triads into action by learning three essential shapes on the low E, A, and D strings—all in the key of G to keep things consistent. We’ll walk through root position (1-3-5), first inversion (3-5-1), and second inversion (5-1-3), and see how these simple, movable shapes unlock the ability to play any major triad anywhere on the neck. As we repeat these voicings and shift them into different keys, we’ll not only get comfortable with triads, but also start seeing the fretboard in a clearer, more connected way—starting from the low end with these big, fat-sounding shapes.
Workout 1: E String Major Triads
In this first section, we’re putting triads into action by learning three essential shapes on the low E, A, and D strings—all in the key of G to keep things consistent. We’ll walk through root position (1-3-5), first inversion (3-5-1), and second inversion (5-1-3), and see how these simple, movable shapes unlock the ability to play any major triad anywhere on the neck. As we repeat these voicings and shift them into different keys, we’ll not only get comfortable with triads, but also start seeing the fretboard in a clearer, more connected way—starting from the low end with these big, fat-sounding shapes.
I, IV, & V Major Triads on the E String
In this first section, we’re putting triads into action by learning three essential shapes on the low E, A, and D strings—all in the key of G to keep things consistent. We’ll walk through root position (1-3-5), first inversion (3-5-1), and second inversion (5-1-3), and see how these simple, movable shapes unlock the ability to play any major triad anywhere on the neck. As we repeat these voicings and shift them into different keys, we’ll not only get comfortable with triads, but also start seeing the fretboard in a clearer, more connected way—starting from the low end with these big, fat-sounding shapes.
Workout 2: E String I, IV, & V Triads
In this first section, we’re putting triads into action by learning three essential shapes on the low E, A, and D strings—all in the key of G to keep things consistent. We’ll walk through root position (1-3-5), first inversion (3-5-1), and second inversion (5-1-3), and see how these simple, movable shapes unlock the ability to play any major triad anywhere on the neck. As we repeat these voicings and shift them into different keys, we’ll not only get comfortable with triads, but also start seeing the fretboard in a clearer, more connected way—starting from the low end with these big, fat-sounding shapes.
+ 36 more lessons
Reviews
14 results
ishans996
Verified buyer
06/20/26
It’s nice
markaarongould
Verified buyer
02/09/26
Ariel’s classes make the chaos understandable.
Ariel is such a great teacher. The way he explains things just makes perfect sense. He activates my brain so I can sit down and work on something using a targeted approach. My fingers aren’t as ambitious as I am about playing the guitar, but they’re getting there.
stmhol1
Verified buyer
01/31/26
Basic, sure. But not boring and certainly useful
It never hurts to go back to the basics every now and then. Very useful exercise, clear lessons and prevents just noodling. Well taught and usual truefire quality.
MisterA2001
Verified buyer
01/29/26
Triads unlocked!!
great course Aren broke down Triads in a very logical yet simple way. . For a few lessons used my nephew's Loog guitar since it only had three strings and triads are on three strings it was a perfect match, making learning easier.
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