🎹Learn Diatonic Chords in a Major Key
Go from guessing which chords 'sound right together' to knowing exactly why. Build the seven diatonic chords from any major scale, read the pattern that makes every pop song work, and write an 8-bar section of your own.
Phase 1Seven Chords Hiding in One Scale
Build seven chords from any major scale
Every major key is a chord factory
6 minEvery major key is a chord factory
A triad is three notes, two intervals
6 minA triad is three notes, two intervals
The major-minor-minor-major-major-minor-dim pattern
7 minThe major-minor-minor-major-major-minor-dim pattern
The scale's half-steps decide which chords are minor
7 minThe scale's half-steps decide which chords are minor
Phase 2Spelling Chords in Real Keys
Spell diatonic chords in four real keys
C major is the training wheel — no sharps, no flats
7 minC major is the training wheel — no sharps, no flats
G major adds one sharp — and one raised note
7 minG major adds one sharp — and one raised note
D major stacks two sharps — F# and C#
7 minD major stacks two sharps — F# and C#
F major flips the direction — one flat
7 minF major flips the direction — one flat
Analyze a song by writing numerals, not note names
8 minAnalyze a song by writing numerals, not note names
Phase 3The Progressions Behind Every Pop Song
Use the progressions behind most pop songs
One progression wrote half the songs on your playlist
7 minOne progression wrote half the songs on your playlist
ii-V-I is the gravitational pull of every jazz standard
8 minii-V-I is the gravitational pull of every jazz standard
vi-IV-I-V — the same four chords wearing a sad coat
7 minvi-IV-I-V — the same four chords wearing a sad coat
Borrowing one chord from the parallel minor changes everything
8 minBorrowing one chord from the parallel minor changes everything
Phase 4Your Own 8-Bar Section
Write an 8-bar section in your chosen key
Write eight bars — diatonic only, in the key of your choice
8 minWrite eight bars — diatonic only, in the key of your choice
Frequently asked questions
- What are diatonic chords in a major key?
- This is covered in the “Learn Diatonic Chords in a Major Key” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How do I know which chords are in the key of C?
- This is covered in the “Learn Diatonic Chords in a Major Key” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Why is the ii chord minor and the V chord major?
- This is covered in the “Learn Diatonic Chords in a Major Key” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What does I-V-vi-IV mean in music?
- This is covered in the “Learn Diatonic Chords in a Major Key” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How do I figure out what key a song is in?
- This is covered in the “Learn Diatonic Chords in a Major Key” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
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