If you know your chords and how to form them then the next step for youto learn are the numbers and Roman Numerals relating to the chords.
For example just as the I or 1st note of the C scale isC and the I or the1st note of the G scale is G there are 1 chords and 2chords, 3chords and each relates to it’s corresponding scale note.
Since C is our favorite and easiest scale to talk about I will explain what I mean using the keyof C.
The Primary chords of each key are the
- 1 chord or I
- 4 chord or IV
- 5 chord or V
- 57chord or V7
These chords are the Major Chords with in a scale. The other chords associated within the major scale are minor chords and diminished chords.
When you play the piano or guitar most of the timethe chords you will be playing will be one of those associated with the key your song is in unless of course you are doing fancy stuff to get a different sound. To create different styles of music chords are often altered or different ones are introduced into a song in chord progressions but as you play and become more aware of what chords you are playing you willbe able to see that and do much of it yoursel.
Moving on:
In the following diagram are the chords found along the scale of the key of C. As you move along the scale each note is numbered. The Scale Position, Roman Numeral, and Type of Chord translate to all ofyour scales.
Moving on:
In the following diagram are the chords found along the scale of the key of C. As you move along the scale each note is numbered. The Scale Position, Roman Numeral, and Type of Chord translate to all ofyour scales.
Note Scale Position Roman # Type ofChord Chordnotes
C 1 I Major C E G
D 2 ii minor D F A
E 3 iii minor E G B
F 4 IV Major F A C
G 5 V Major G B D
A 6 vi minor A C E
B 7 vii diminished B D FPRACTICE: Spend some time and try and figure out all of the chords for each of the keys of the Circle of Fifths. Yes all of them.
Remember in the beginning I said “if you know your chords and how to form them”. So if this is a step you are unfamiliar with thentake a step back and take a quick primer on chords. There are several books available or print off this basic primary chord chart I put together for the piano and get to know the way the chords are formed.
Then don’t try and figure out all of the chords at once. Just make it a goal that you want to accomplish and as you move along in your studies make it a point to learn the chords of the keys you are playing in.
Asyou practice your scales also practice the chords. The idea behind the numbers for the chords is that if you know your scales you can playin any key just using the numbers.
Another thing to help your understanding of chords and how they are placed in songs is to play some of your songs with just the chords. Don’t worry about the melody of the song just play through the chords and sing the melody.
This means you will need to play chords in both hands if you are playing the piano. The guitar will be easier, you’re just chording.
What the numbering of the chords will do for you is allow you to transpose into other keys much easier.
There you have it. Now have at it and get busy learning to play piano or guitar using just numbers.
