Trio facts for kids
A trio is a group of three things, or a group of three people working or performing together. It could be three musicians playing instruments, three friends on an adventure, or even three different colors used in a painting! The word "trio" comes from the Latin word "tres," which means three.
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Trios in Music
In music, a trio usually means three musicians playing together. This can be a small band, a classical music group, or even a specific part of a longer song.
Musical Groups of Three
Many types of musical groups are called trios, depending on the instruments they play:
- Classical Trios:
* A Piano trio typically includes a piano, a violin, and a cello. These groups often play classical chamber music, which is music meant for a smaller room rather than a large concert hall. * A String trio is made up of three string instruments, usually a violin, a viola, and a cello. They create beautiful sounds using only bowed string instruments.
- Jazz Trios:
* A Trio (jazz) often features a piano, a double bass (a large string instrument), and drums. This setup is very common in jazz music, allowing for improvisation and a strong rhythm.
- Rock Trios:
* A Power trio is a type of rock band with just three members: an electric guitar, a bass guitar, and a drum kit. This setup became popular because it allowed bands to create a powerful, full sound with fewer musicians. Famous power trios include Cream and Rush.
Trio Sections in Songs
Sometimes, "trio" refers to a specific part within a longer piece of music:
- In classical music, the middle section of a minuet or scherzo is often called the trio. This section usually has a different melody and feel before the main part of the minuet or scherzo returns.
- In a march (music), the trio is the third main section. It often has a more lyrical or flowing melody compared to the strong, rhythmic parts of the march.
Famous Music Trios
There have been many famous musical groups known as trios:
- Trio (band): This was a German pop band famous for their hit song "Da Da Da" in the 1980s.
- Trio (album): In 1987, country music stars Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt released a very popular album called Trio. They also released a second album together, Trio 2, in 1998.
- The Trio: This refers to a live jazz album from 1961 featuring the Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson and his trio.
Trios in Entertainment
Beyond music, the idea of a trio appears in other forms of entertainment, like books and movies.
Books and Movies
- Trio is a novel written by Dorothy Baker in 1943.
- Trio is a British movie from 1950, directed by Ken Annakin. It tells three separate stories based on short stories by W. Somerset Maugham.
Other Uses of Trio
- Tiriyó People: The Tiriyó people are an Indigenous group living in parts of South America. Their language is also called Tiriyó.
- Trio Chocolate Bar: In the 1980s, there was a popular chocolate bar in the United Kingdom called Trio.
Related Pages
- 3 (number)
- Triplet
- Triad
- Triumvirate
- List of fictional trios
See also
In Spanish: Trío para niños
