Diatonic Harmony

Question 1

What do lower case Roman numerals mean?

Answer 1

i, vi, viidim = minor (and diminished) chords.

Question 2

Explain the following form of diatonic harmony: major scale - triads

Answer 2

When you write triads built on any major scale (in any key), the pattern of chords will always be the same:
I - major
ii - minor
iii - minor
IV - major
V - major
vi - minor
vii - diminished

Question 3

What are some examples of the following form of diatonic harmony: major scale chord type - triads

Answer 3

F major:
I - F major
ii - G minor
iii - A minor
IV - Bb major
V - C major
vi - D minor
vii - E diminished

Question 4

Explain the following form of diatonic harmony: major scale - 7th chords

Answer 4

When you write triads built on any major scale (in any key), the pattern of chords will always be the same:
I - major7
ii - minor7
iii - minor7
IV - major7
V - dominant 7
vi - minor7
vii - half diminished

Question 5

What are some examples of the following form of diatonic harmony: major scale chord type - 7th chord

Answer 5

F major:
I - F major 7
ii - G minor 7
iii - A minor 7
IV - Bb major 7
V - C dominant 7
vi - D minor 7
vii - E half diminished

Question 6

Explain the following form of diatonic harmony: harmonic minor scales chord type - triads (don’t forget the raised 7th)

Answer 6

When you write triads built on any harmonic minor scale (in any key), the pattern of chords will always be the same:

i - minor
iidim - diminished 
III - augmented 
iv - minor
V - major
VI - major
viidim - diminished

Question 7

What are some examples of the following form of diatonic harmony: harmonic minor scales chord type - triads

Answer 7

A Minor:
i - A minor 
iidim - B diminished 
III - C augmented 
iv - D minor 
V - E major 
VI - F major 
viidim - G diminished

Question 8

Explain the following form of diatonic harmony: harmonic minor scales chord type - 7th chord

Answer 8

i - 
ii - half diminished 
III - 
iv - minor7
V - dominant7
VI - major 7
viidim - diminished7 (full diminished)

Question 9

What are some examples of the following form of diatonic harmony: harmonic minor scales chord type - 7th chord

Answer 9

A minor:
i - 
ii - B half diminished 
III -
iv - D minor 7 
V - E dominant 7
VI - F major 7
vii - G full diminished

Question 10

Why is it important to understand diatonic harmonies in order to correctly guess chord progressions?

Answer 10

Because once you get a starting chord you can figure out the chords that are definitely part of the progression, you just need to work out the order.

Question 11

What do you need to remember when working our chord progressions?

Answer 11

. Bass notes
. Chord qualities
. 7ths

Question 12

What do upper case Roman numerals mean?

Answer 12

I, V, IIIaug = major (and augmented) chords.