There are four basic chord qualities:There are four basic chord qualities:

Major

Minor

Diminished

Augmented

Basic chord qualities:Basic chord qualities:

AbbreviationAbbreviation ExampleExample

Major nothing A

Minor m Am

Diminished dim. or º A dim. or Aº

Augmented aug. or + A aug. or A+

I II III etc.

I II III etc.

There are seven chords per key

One for each different note in the scale

II IIII III III IVIV VV VIVI VIIVII

So, in the key of C:

II IIII III III IVIV VV VIVI VIIVIICC DmDm Em F GF G AmAm B dimB dim.

• I IV and V are always major chords

• II III and VI are always minor chords

• VII is always a diminished chord

Let’s see how this works in some other keys. How about the key of G.

The notes in the G scale are:

G A B C D E F#

Now, add the chord functions (the Roman Numerals):

G A B C D E F#

II IIII IIIIII IVIV VV VIVI VIIVII

Now, add the chord qualities:

G Am B m C D Em F# dim.

II IIII IIIIII IV VIV V VIVI VIIVII

Now, let’s analyze a song.

“Blowin’ In the Wind” is in the key of D and uses the following chords:

D G A A7 Bm

The chord functions (Roman numerals) for these chords would be:

II IVIV V V7V V7 VIVI

D G A A7 Bm

The chord progression Bob Dylan wrote for the verses in the song is:

D G D D

D G A A7

This translates to:

I IV I II IV I I

D G D D

I IV V V7I IV V V7

D G A A7

The chord progression for the chorus is:

G A D Bm

G A D D

Which translates to:

IV V I IV V I VIVI

G A D Bm

IV V I IIV V I I

G A D D

Virtually all songs can be Virtually all songs can be analyzed using this method. A analyzed using this method. A chord “progression,” the chord “progression,” the formula of the song in Roman formula of the song in Roman numerals, is the true essence numerals, is the true essence of a song, not the chords of a song, not the chords themselves.themselves.

Most songs use Most songs use I, IVI, IV, and , and VV as their as their basis. “The Time of Our Lives” by basis. “The Time of Our Lives” by Green Day is a prime example:Green Day is a prime example:

G5 Cadd9 Dsus

Em D C D Em G C D

Key of G:

I I IVIVadd9 add9 VVsussus

VI VI V IV VV IV V VI VI I IV II IV I

Other songs are more complicated. Other songs are more complicated. Look at “Hotel California:”Look at “Hotel California:”

Bm F#7 A E G D Em F#7

G D Em F#7

Key of D:

VI V7/VI V V/V IV I II V7/VIVI V7/VI V V/V IV I II V7/VI

IV I VI V7/VIIV I VI V7/VI

Thinking in Chord Thinking in Chord Progressions is Fun!Progressions is Fun!

Try It With All Your Try It With All Your

Favorite Songs!!Favorite Songs!!