What is the fifth?

What is the fifth?

• A. The lowest note in a triad
• B. The middle note in a triad
• C. The root of the triad
• D. The highest note in a triad

Answer: (D)

A triad is built from three notes: the root, a third, and a fifth. The term "fifth" refers to the note that sits a perfect fifth above the root. When a triad is in root position, these three notes stack in order with the root at the bottom, the third in the middle, and the fifth on top, making the fifth the highest note in that voicing. In other voicings or inversions, the top note can change, but the note that forms the fifth above the root remains the same. So, in the common way we hear a triad voiced, the fifth is the highest note.

A triad is built from three notes: the root, a third, and a fifth. The term "fifth" refers to the note that sits a perfect fifth above the root. When a triad is in root position, these three notes stack in order with the root at the bottom, the third in the middle, and the fifth on top, making the fifth the highest note in that voicing. In other voicings or inversions, the top note can change, but the note that forms the fifth above the root remains the same. So, in the common way we hear a triad voiced, the fifth is the highest note.