![]() (Further down the page we’ll discuss diatonic seventh chords.) We’ll start by looking at diatonic triad chords, which contain three notes each. Therefore, chords diatonic to a C major scale are built from the seven notes of that scale, namely C, D, E, F, G, A, B. We won’t cover minor keys on this page they’re slightly trickier because there are more of them, and one, the melodic minor, uses different notes when descending than it does when ascending, giving it even more diatonic chords.Īs we’ve seen, diatonic chords are the chords that can be made from the notes of a particular scale. On this page, we’ll examine the diatonic triads and diatonic seventh chords of every major scale. Knowledge of diatonic chords is an essential part of traditional music theory and classical harmony. If you know the current key of the music you’re improvising over, then you’ll be able to select a suitable scale to use. This is especially true in music that changes key frequently, such as jazz and complex rock and pop songs. In songwriting, knowing which chords belong to which key, and how they relate to the chords of other keys, can help you come up with new chord progressions and melodies.īeing able to tell which key you’re in while improvising is an important skill. Knowledge of diatonic chords is useful both in songwriting and in improvising. Why Are Diatonic Chords Important? Knowledge of chords is useful in both improvisation and composition. See the ‘The Diatonic Triads Of All Major Keys’ section further down the page for more info.) (This is because an F major scale contains a Bb, therefore the triad built on the G is a G minor. ![]() For example the chord of G major is diatonic to the key of C major but not to F major. (In fact, every major triad is diatonic to three keys).Ĭhords can be diatonic to one key and chromatic to the other. For example, the chord of F major is diatonic to the keys of both C major and F major. Two different keys can have chords that are diatonic to both. This means a new scale being used for the melody, and the new melody would therefore be harmonized with a new set of diatonic (and chromatic) chords. Not all of the chords used to harmonize a melody have to be diatonic non-diatonic, or ‘chromatic’, chords can also be used to bring additional color to an arrangement. (When talking about diatonic chords, it is usually the triads built from a scale that are being discussed.) Notes The diatonic triad chords of the key of C major are built from the notes of the C major scale, as shown below: Triad chords that are diatonic to C Major The notes in a C major scale are: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, as shown below: Notes in a C major scale ![]() chords built from the notes of a C major scale. Typically, it would be harmonized with chords that were (mostly) diatonic to the key of C major i.e. Therefore, diatonic chords can also be said to be the chords that belong to a certain key.įor example, a melody in the key of C major uses the notes of a C major scale. ![]() The predominant scale in a piece of music generally dictates what key the music is in. For example, chords made using the notes of a C major scale are said to be diatonic to C major. Using Diatonic Chords to Improve your Songwritingĭiatonic chords are the chords that can be made from the notes of a particular scale.The Diatonic Seventh Chords of Every Key. #4 note c major how to#On this page you’ll find out what diatonic chords are and how to use them.Īlso included is a list of the diatonic triads and seventh chords in every major key. ![]() Knowledge of diatonic chords is useful for songwriters, improvisors, and anyone else interested in how music works. ![]()
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