Building the 7 Triads in a Major Scale

Building the chords for a major scale is important because:

• It tells you what chords are available to you in any given key or scale.
• It also gives you the tools to analyze the chords in any song and figure out what key its in.
• It helps you understand the notes in each chord.

Here’s how to build all 7 chords (or triads) in a major scale using a C Major scale.  Start by constructing one chord starting on each of the scale degrees.

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1st degree: the I chord – C major

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Each chord is also referred to its scale degree using a roman numeral.  Uppercase for Major chords and lowercase for minor.  In this case its called the I chord. 

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2nd degree: the ii chord – D minor

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Minor chords use lower case roman numerals.

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3rd degree: the iii chord – E minor

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4th degree: the IV chord – F major

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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5th degree: the V chord – G major

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6th degree: the vi chord – A minor

 

 

 

 

 

 

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7th degree: the vii° chord – B diminished

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The chords (triads) to a C major scale are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

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You could now repeat this process for each of the 12 major scales or try this shortcut:

Next Lesson: Chord Qualities for Major Scales

Previous Lesson: Intro to Chord Construction

 

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