Spell the triad

Now all three notes at once, in order: root, 3rd, 5th.

Because the chord skips a letter each time, a triad always looks like alternate letters: C_E_G, D_F_A, B_D_F. Write the three letters first, then decide each accidental.

B♭ minor is a good example. Letters B, D, F. Now fit them: B♭, then a minor 3rd up is D♭, then a perfect 5th from B♭ is F. B♭, D♭, F.

A chord you know on the keys becomes a list you can carry around in your head — which is exactly what makes inversions easy.

1 skip 3 skip 5

B♭ minor: letters B, D, F — with the accidentals that make it fit.

Practise this in the trainer — it opens with this lesson the first time the concept comes up.