Explanation of Diatonic Chords

In this lesson I will outline the basic theory behind stringing together a chord progression.
All the chords in a diatonic progression are derived from the key in which the music is written. All
the chords within one key are related to each other as they are all constructed using the same 7 notes.
Each note of a scale is depicted as a roman numeral and referred to as a scale degree. There are 7
scale degrees to each scale/key and therefore there are 7 diatonic chords in each key, as each scale
degree forms the root note for each chord.
In order to distinguish between maor and minor chords we use !""E# and lower case letters for the
roman numerals. $or more information on maor and minor see the lesson on forming chords and
harmonies.
I ii iii IV V vi vii
%aor minor minor %aor %aor minor minor&
In the above table we have the pattern of %aor and %inor chords which occur when building a simple
triad chord on each scale degree. #emember this pattern of %aor and minor by heart, as it is very
important'
(ere are the diatonic chords for two keys please refer to the complete table for all the diatonic chords
for all the keys.
I ii iii IV V vi vii
)ey of * * +m Em $ , Am -&
)ey of A A -m *.m + E $.m ,.&
"lay the chords on your instrument or program them into your se/uencer and play them through a
synth or sampler. #emembering that to make a chord minor you must flatten the third by a semi0tone.
It is important at this stage to hear the chords. The more you hear them the more your ear will become
trained to them.
+ue to diatonic chords being built using notes of the same key the chord progression feels as if it
needs to resolve down to the first degree of the key 1the note the key is names after2 This is why a lot
of chord progressions you will notice end on the one.
3hen a musician is telling you a chord progression they will probably say something like its one four
three 1I0I40iii2 in the key of A. If you have learnt the diatonic chords for the A maor scale you will
know this means A %aor 5 + %aor and *.minor.
(ere are some common chord progressions used in hundreds of tunes.
*hord progressions often follow a pattern for e6ample here are some *ircle progressions
vi - ii - V I
I - IV - vii
o
- iii - vi - ii - V I
I - V I
The following are helpful in order to determine the key in which the piece is written.
IVVI
IVVI
The five 5 one progression is known musically as perfect cadence as is very common in all forms of
popular music.
All the chord progressions so far have been based around the maor scale. (ere are some chord
progressions based on minor keys. The tonal centre of the key is still the relative maor we are now
playing in modes 1see the lesson on modes for more information2
3e start the key from the 7
th
scale degree
vi- ii- iii vi
This is a minor I IV V progression
Try playing these progressions in different rhythms you can change the genre of the track by
e6perimenting with different rhythmical patterens.
8ince there are a limited amount chord progressions due to there be only 7 diatonic chords per key. A
lot of the same chord progressions have been re used countless times. To add variation musicians can
change the key. %usicians and sound engineers also apply effects and process the sound in new ways
in order to sound different or original.
Here is a list of all the diatonic chords for each scale
I ii iii IV V vi vii
)ey of * * +m Em $ , Am -m&
)ey of , , Am -m * + Em $.m&
)ey of + + Em $. , A -m *.m&
)ey of A A -m *.m + E $.m ,.m&
)ey of E E $.m ,.m A - *.m +.m&
)ey of - - *.m +.m E $. ,.m A.m&
)ey of $ $ ,m Am -b * +m Em&
)ey of -b -b *m +m Eb $ ,m Am&
)ey of Eb Eb $m ,m Ab -b *m +m&
)ey of Ab Ab -bm *m +b Eb $m ,m&
)ey of +b +b Ebm $m ,b Ab -bm *m&
)ey of ,b ,b Abm -bm - +b Ebm $m&
)ey of - - +bm Ebm E $b ,bm -bm&
(ere is a list of links I found helpful in learning music theory and ear training.