We consider {\it small solutions} of a vibrating mechanical system with smooth non-linearities for which we provide an approximate solution by using a triple scale analysis; a rigorous proof of convergence of the triple scale method is included; for the forced response, a stability result is needed in order to prove convergence in a neighbourhood of a primary resonance. The amplitude of the response with respect to the frequency forcing is described and it is related to the frequency of a free periodic vibration.