2.11Major chords built on scale degrees

Now let's build a triad on every note of C major using only notes from the scale.

C major scale:

C D E F G A B

Take alternating notes.

Starting on C:

C E G

= C major

Starting on D:

D F A

= D minor

Starting on E:

E G B

= E minor

Starting on F:

F A C

= F major

Starting on G:

G B D

= G major

Starting on A:

A C E

= A minor

Starting on B:

B D F

= B diminished

So we get:

C Dm Em F G Am B°

or:

I ii iii IV V vi vii°

This pattern is true in every major key:

major – minor – minor – major – major – minor – diminished

Or:

I ii iii IV V vi vii°

This is one of the most important patterns in the entire course.

Memorize the pattern, not 84 separate chords.