Harmonic Analysis: Diatonic Chords
HARMONIC Analysis:
Diatonic Chords
In order to translate chords from their letter names to Roman numerals, you must first find the key in which they came from. Understanding the diatonic chords in a major scale helps makes this translation efficient and effective. Here are 2 methods of translation:
Consecutive Major and Minor Chords
Circle of Progressions
Learn more about each method below.
Consecutive Chords
Consecutive Major and Minor Chords
Look for two major chords (IV + V) and/or two minor chords that are a letter away (ii + iii) to help find the parent scale.
Circle of Progressions
Circle of Progressions
Find chords that have roots that move through the circle of fourths with qualities that match iii vi ii V I.
Cheat Sheet
Major Key Cheat Sheet
Use the chart to help determine the key of a song.
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