4.4 · Chords of the Key

Every key's seven chords

The quality pattern M m m M M m ° is the same in every major key, so all twelve keys fit one table. Each row is a key and each column a numeral, and any chord you need is where the two cross.

Pick a key, read its row

A major key's seven chords always come out M m m M M m °. Change the home note and every chord moves with it.

Home note · sets the key
C
Dm
Em
F
G
Am
B°
C

All twelve keys

Keys are listed a fifth apart, so each row shares four chords with the row above it. Tap any chord to hear it, or a key to pick its row.

KeyIiiiiiIVVvivii°

A key that reads in flats spells its chords in flats: IV of E♭ is A♭, not G♯. F♯ major is the one sharp-side black key, so its row reads in sharps.

One chord, three keys

Every chord in the table appears in three keys. A major chord is I in one key, IV in another, and V in a third; a minor chord is ii, iii, and vi.

G

G is home.

D
G

D first, so G lands as IV.

C
G

C first, so G lands as V.

Quiz

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In G major, the V chord is…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson. A perfect run sticks: a later miss never undoes it.Every chord has a role →