Dyad (music)

All dyads within an octave on C.

In music, a dyad (less commonly, diad) is a set of two notes or pitches that, in particular contexts, may imply a chord.

Dyads can be classified by the interval between the notes. For example, the interval between C and E is a major third, which can imply a C major chord, made up of the notes C, E and G. When the pitches of a dyad occur in succession, they form a melodic interval. When they occur simultaneously, they form a harmonic interval.

In a triadic context chords with omitted thirds may be considered "indeterminate" triads.
Melodic and harmonic intervals, respectively above and below.

See also