A trichord consists of three notes on consecutive lines and spaces of the staff. All trichord pattern pitch names will be three consecutive alphabet letters.
Trichords may be modified by sharps or flats. The three notes in each of these four measures sound the same. Only measure one is a trichord.
There are four common trichord patterns that differ by the pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H) between the notes.
Trichord patterns may begin on any note.
| C D E |  |
 |
This pattern occurs between the white keys CDE and GAB.
| C D Eb |  |
|
This pattern occurs between the white keys DEF and ABC
| C Db Eb |  |
|
This pattern occurs between the white keys EFG and BCD
| C Db Ebb |  |
|
This pattern does not occur between any white keys.
Revised by John Ellinger, Spring 2012.