25. Using Degree Names (Four-Note Chords) and the Existence of Non-Diatonic Chords

Practice Including Four-Note Chords, and the Existence of Non-Diatonic Chords

This time, let's use degree names in practice, including four-note chords.
Some content, such as non-diatonic chords, looks ahead, but we'll keep using the same song, so just get a feel for it.
The content of the previous lesson is also essential, so if you haven't read it, please read it first.

Analyzing a Song with Four-Note Degree Names

First, please listen to this sample.

This is a passage from the first half of "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)," covered by people all over the world and famous in Japan as well.
It's a very stylish chord progression. In reality, it is played with more of a swing feel.
This time, let's unravel it.

First, identify the key.
If you have the sheet music, you can easily identify it by checking the positions of the sharps and flats.

Melody

A key with no sharps or flats is...

either C major or A minor.

By the way, doesn't this song feel like it shifts from a bright major mood to a cool, dark minor feel?
Let's also check the chord names.

There's a darkness and minor feel especially in the last three bars or so.
Now, recall the lesson on minor sevenths.

• A minor chord gives an intensely dark impression
• A minor seventh has a complex sound with a sparkle even within the darkness

We gave these examples.

For this song, it may be easier to understand if you replace the last chord with Am.

Ending on Am

When listening to other songs or composing yourself, be sure to pay attention to this subtle difference.

Handling "♯" and "♭" Not in the Key's Scale

If there's no sheet music, you transcribe by ear and read the key from the melody and chords.

• Melody

• Chords

You'll notice again here that although the notes are mainly from the C major scale, the E7 chord somehow contains G#.
Also, the C7 chord contains B♭.

And among the diatonic chords of the key of C major...

• Triads

• Four-note chords

there are no chords such as C7 or E7.

Some of you may have struggled when analyzing your favorite songs based on what you've learned so far and coming across chords that aren't diatonic.
What this shows is that many songs in the world also use "chords other than diatonic chords" = "non-diatonic chords".
Of course, there are also many wonderful songs made only with diatonic chords.

We'll cover how to use non-diatonic chords a little later, so for now let's just learn how to analyze the progression above.

Using the same procedure as with triads, replace the chords with degree names while looking at the table.

Apart from the parts marked "?", we could analyze them the same way as before.
So how do we handle the "?" (non-diatonic chords)?

The idea is very simple.
As we introduced in Lesson 21, each Roman numeral of a degree name corresponds to the scale.

Applying this, even if a chord isn't diatonic, just replace it with a Roman numeral according to "which note of the scale it is".
This time we're in the key of C major, so C7 is I7 and E7 is III7.

Now the analysis is done.

The Mystery of Sounding Like the Key Changed

As for the dark turn you feel at the end of "Fly Me to the Moon," learning minor diatonic chords and the functions of each chord will let you see it differently.

We'll also use "Fly Me to the Moon" when explaining this different perspective, so keep it in the back of your mind.
Next time, we'll continue with examples of changing a song's key and chord progressions, including four-note chords.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the difference between non-diatonic and diatonic chords?

Diatonic chords are made of notes within the key's scale, while non-diatonic chords contain notes outside the scale. Using non-diatonic chords adds color and tension to a song and enables more complex, refined musical expression.

Q2. If I don't know the key, how do I analyze a song's chord progression?

If there's no sheet music, transcribe by ear and read the key that serves as a common reference from the melody and chords. Looking for the key centered on chords with few sharps or flats lets you identify the key efficiently.

Q3. How do I tell a minor seventh chord from a minor chord by ear?

A minor chord gives a dark, sharp impression, while a minor seventh chord has a complex sound with a sparkle even within the darkness. Using different chords with the same melody greatly changes the mood of a song.