Bassic Fundamentals – Chords By Number
Scale Degrees
Chord numbers are based on the degrees of a scale. In C major we have the following scale degrees:
This gives us the following chord sequence:
- Chord 1: C
- Chord 2: D
- Chord 3: E
- Chord 4: F
- Chord 5: G
- Chord 6: A
- Chord 7: B
Roman Numerals
When referring to chords within a key, the numbers are often written as Roman Numerals as follows:
- Chord I
- Chord II
- Chord III
- Chord IV
- Chord V
- Chord VI
- Chord VII
Chord Qualities
The sequence of chord qualities in a major key are as follows:
- Chord 1 – Major
- Chord 2 – Minor
- Chord 3 – Minor
- Chord 4 – Major
- Chord 5 – Major
- Chord 6 – Minor
- Chord 7 – Diminished
Using this sequence we can work out the chord qualities for any key. The chords in the key of C Major are as follows:
- C Major
- D Minor
- E Minor
- F Major
- G Major
- A Minor
- B Diminished
Tip: Chords 1, 4 and 5 are major. The rest are minor except chord 7 which is diminished (the odd one out)
Using the sequence of chords in a major key we can move to other keys. The chords in the key of G Major would be as follows:
- G Major
- A Minor
- B Minor
- C Major
- D Major
- E Minor
- F# Diminished
Chord Progressions
Once we’ve memorised the chords in a key we can refer to chord progressions by number. The popular 1625 (I-vi-ii-V) progression in C Major would be as follows:
C – Am – Dm – G
Playalong : I – vi – ii – V in C
If we transpose this progression to G Major we have the following:
G – Em – Am – D
Playalong : I – vi – ii – V in G
Popular Chord Progressions
Progression: I – I – IV – V
In the key of C Major: C – C – F – G
Progression: I – IV – I – V
In the key of C Major: C – F – C – G
In the key of F Major: F – Bb – F – C
Progression: I – V – vi – IV
In the key of Ab Major: Ab – Eb – Fm – Db
