4.2 · Chords of the Key

Chords from the scale

Every key has seven chords of its own, one on each degree of the scale. A chord built this way, from scale notes only, is called diatonic.

Any degree, same formula

To build any degree's diatonic chord, start on that degree, then take every other note until you have a triad.

Home note · sets the scale
Build the chord on degree…
The chord you get
1 · C 3 · E 5 · GC: the I chord of C major.

Seven in a row

All seven chords share the scale's notes, so the walk never jars. Swap in F♯ major, whose three notes are all outside C, and hear the difference.

C
Dm
Em
F
G
Am
B°
C

Every note in every chord is a scale note, so even the tense ones sound like family. The walk ends where it started: I again, an octave up.

Quiz

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A diatonic chord is built from…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson. A perfect run sticks: a later miss never undoes it.Why the 7th chord is diminished →