LEARNING TARGETS
I can build diatonic chords off of any major scale.
I can identify tonic, dominant, and subdominant chords in a given major key.
I can identify tonic, dominant, and subdominant chords in a given major key.
General
Chords are built out of notes, keys tell us what notes to use, and scales tell us how those notes feel. Harmonizing is finding the right chord for each note. Use every other diatonic note in the scale to figure out what chord to use.
You will always get the same pattern of chords for any given major scale. For this reason, it is often more useful to refer to chords by their relationship to the key.
For example an A minor chord would be the iv in C major, ii, in G major, and the iii in F major. Same chord, same notes...but different function!
I prefer if you write minor triads with lower case roman numerals.
For example an A minor chord would be the iv in C major, ii, in G major, and the iii in F major. Same chord, same notes...but different function!
I prefer if you write minor triads with lower case roman numerals.
CHORD FUNCTION
Modern music theory is built on the idea that different chords in a key behave differently based on what notes they contain and how those notes interact. We break chords into three main groups.
TONIC: These chords are called home chords because they feel stable. It's the first chord. It's home base and provides relief. This chord most often includes the I, but may also include the vi and iii. Notice that all three of these chords share the 3rd degree of the scale. The 3rd note is the most defining note of the scale.
SUBDOMINANT: These chords serve as a bridge between the two previous categories. This includes the IV and the ii. These chords take you away from home, but don't quite point you back yet.
DOMINANT: These are unstable chords that point you back to the tonic. They drive the song forward. They provide tension. This most often includes the V chord and the vii dim. Both chords include the 7th scale degree or the "leading tone".
TONIC: These chords are called home chords because they feel stable. It's the first chord. It's home base and provides relief. This chord most often includes the I, but may also include the vi and iii. Notice that all three of these chords share the 3rd degree of the scale. The 3rd note is the most defining note of the scale.
SUBDOMINANT: These chords serve as a bridge between the two previous categories. This includes the IV and the ii. These chords take you away from home, but don't quite point you back yet.
DOMINANT: These are unstable chords that point you back to the tonic. They drive the song forward. They provide tension. This most often includes the V chord and the vii dim. Both chords include the 7th scale degree or the "leading tone".