Preparing to Apply Theory in Practice
This time, we'll learn how to replace chords with Roman numerals (degree names).
Diatonic chords will become more familiar, and it will help with analyzing songs, so let's master it.
Once you've learned music theory, we really encourage you to analyze songs.
When you come across parts of songs you listen to that feel "cool" or "pleasant," analyzing them lets you add them to your repertoire of chord progressions.
You'll definitely be able to use it in your music production, so let's learn step by step.
The tables used in the explanation can be downloaded from the URL below.
We hope they help with your studies.
https://sleepfreaks-dtm.com/music/Major_Diatonic_Triad.zip
Focus on the Rules of Diatonic Chords
We've learned about diatonic chords in detail so far; let's take another look at the table of major diatonic chords (triads) in each key.
Memorizing all of these is very hard.
However, if you understand the major scale of each key from the lessons so far, this "method of replacing chords with Roman numerals" will let you grasp them right away.
Chords replaced with Roman numerals are called "degree names" or "chord degrees".
"Degree" refers to the scale degree, and lets you express the position of a chord within a key in relative terms.
The key point is that whatever key you build diatonic chords in, the order of chord qualities based on the scale is the same.
- Key = C major
- Key = D major
As you can see, they all follow the order
major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished (triad)
.
Also, as we learned in the lessons on major, minor and diminished chords, in a DAW you can easily create them by shifting in parallel.
The idea is to focus on this rule and memorize the degrees of each scale by replacing them with Roman numerals.
Assigning Roman Numerals Along the Scale
The Roman numerals used are written as follows.
Assign Roman numerals in order, starting from the first note of the scale.
Now let's build diatonic chords from here.
The procedure is as shown in Lesson 17.
Once you've built the diatonic chords, write the quality of each chord next to its Roman numeral.
Done.
This means that just by putting the notes of each major scale in place of the Roman numerals, you can cover all the major diatonic chords (triads).
*There are various ways of writing degree names, such as adding "△" next to major chords or showing minor chords in lowercase ("iii," etc.).
This course uses the notation above throughout.
Using Degree Names
Let's try replacing the scale in the key of F major.
With what you've learned so far, it's very easy.
By the way, the name of each is as follows.
- I = one major
- IIm = two minor
- IIIm = three minor
- IV = four major
- V = five major
- VIm = six minor
- VIIdim = seven diminished (triad)
Finally, here is a table of major diatonic chords (triads) with Roman numerals.
Please make use of it in your studies.
(Save the linked file to get a larger version.)
Next time, we'll use these degree names for more advanced applications, such as simple analysis, modulation and learning famous chord progressions.
Be sure to master this lesson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What knowledge should I acquire before learning degree names?
It's important to understand the theory of the major scale and the basic concept of diatonic chords. With this knowledge, replacing chords with Roman numerals is very easy to learn.
Q2. In what situations are degree names actually used?
They can be used in practical music production, such as analyzing songs, modulating and learning famous chord progressions. This lets you understand the structure of songs you listen to and bring it into your own production.
Q3. Are degree names in the same order in every key?
Yes, in any major key, they follow the same order: "major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished." This is the biggest advantage for learning them efficiently.
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