4.3 diatonic chords

There are seven notes in the major scale. Generating chords that start from each note in a scale create the diatonic chords. The qualities of these chords stays the same in every key.

For example, the IV chord is always major. In the key of C, the IV chord is F major. In the key of Bb, the IV chord is Eb major

• Watch the walkthrough video.

• Learn the information below.

Terms
Major: I IV V (capital Roman Numeral)
Minor: ii iii vi (lower case Roman Numeral)
Diminished: vii° (lower case with a degree symbol)
Chord Naming: There are two parts to a chord’s name: its letter name and quality.
example: The iii chord in C major is E minor.

Terms
Transposition: Changing a melody or chord progression from one key to another.

ADJACENT CHORD QUALITIES

Two clues to find the key of a chord progression are the quality and locations of chords within the major scale.
ii-iii: Two minor chords with roots that are next to each other in the musical alphabet could be the ii and iii chords in a scale.
IV-V: Two major chords with roots that are next to each other in the musical alphabet could be the IV and V chords in a scale.
iii-IV: A minor chord with a major chord one letter away in the musical alphabet could be the iii and IV chords in a scale.

CIRCLE PROGRESSIONS

A common chord progression is the “circle progression.” Circle progressions have roots that move through the circle of fourths. A full circle progression is vii-iii-vi-ii-V-I-IV. Segments of this progression are used in many songs. In order to identify a circle progression in a song, look for chord roots that move in fourths and that have qualities that match the corresponding numbers in the diatonic major scale.

DIATONIC CHORDS

• Complete the Diatonic Chord Spelling Worksheet →.

• Use the diatonic chord flashcards to test your knowledge of the chords in each major scale.

MAJOR SCALE CHORDS

• Master the chords in each scale by saying and playing them along with the Noteflight Score below.

• Challenge: Play inversions through common chord progressions with this Noteflight Score →

POP SONG COVER

• Choose your own song that has a four chord progression OR choose a song from the Pop Progression Page →.

• Fill out the information about your song using Cover Song Organizer Part 1 →.

• Transcribe the drum groove and bass line, and map the inversions of the song using Cover Song Organizer Part 2→

• Read the recording instructions, and record your project.