"Major Harmonic System"
Chords and Scales Combined to Make a System

a.k.a - The Major Diatonic Harmonic Systems

First some definitions:

Harmonic system for our purposes means the notes that make up a scale.

Diatonic - means progressing or sequence (belongs to), in our case the progression of notes in a major scale. We will use the short version and assume diatonic in our discussions.

Chords are Created with the Scale Notes

Simple things to remember when you develop chords associated with the scale of your choice and form a major harmonic system.

• Use a major scale

• Create chords that are made up of 3rds and 5ths

• Use only the notes of the scale to make your chord

• The chords on your system will be on lines or on spaces for root position

As an example we'll use the C scale to create a system of chords 

The staff below shows all the chords for the C major scale. 

Let's review the staff and see:

• the pattern of lines and spaces alternate

• that the notes used are in the scale and

• that when you spell some of the chords some are major and some are minor and one is diminished.

Chords are Major, Minor, and Diminished

Here are the chord names and spellings for the C major harmonic system

Look at the chord names. There are 3 major chords, 3 minor chords, and one diminished chord. This is the major harmonic system. 

This is true for the chords for all major scales and they will be in the same position.

The concept of position and chord type the application of numeral names to the chords can help further refine patterns for chords and scales.

Roman Numerals for Chord Position and Function

One of the methods used to identify chords is with the use of roman numerals. It can be used to identify the chord position and function within any scale. The use of the numbers allows you to identify the chord and its use or function (major or minor) if you are in the key of C or the key of F or any other key.

The following definitions are used for the roman numerals:

• Capitol Numerals - I, II, III IV, V, VI, VII - indicate major chords.

• Small (lower case) Numerals - i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, vii - indicate minor chords

• The use of symbols will modify these two types of chords to make them diminished or augmented - º (degree symbol) for diminished and the '+' (plus sign) for augmented.

The I, IV, and V were used for the major chords and the ii, iii, vi for the minor chords and the viiº was used for the diminished chord.

Also labeled are the I chord as Tonic, the beginning or root, and the V chord as dominant. These two are the most recognized or used chords in the system.

The Dominant Chord and the Dominant Seventh

Above we talked about the dominant V chord. In practice this chord is made into a dominant seventh chord with the addition of another minor 3rd or what is the minor 7th interval.

This chord for the C system is G7 as shown in this graphic.

When the dominant chord is played it drives music back to the tonic. You can try this for yourself on a keyboard and play this G7 and the C chord respectively. You will hear and feel the pull from V7 to I.

What this means is that in the major diatonic harmonic system you will use the V7 chord. The C major harmonic system will now look like this pict.

Major Diatonic Harmonic System Summary

• The chords developed for this system are created from the scale notes.

• There are seven chords in the major harmonic system, 3 major chords, 3 minor chords and one diminished chord.

• The fifth chord is a dominant chord and is usually played as a dominant 7 chord.

• The use of roman numerals can give position and function which can be used to analyze the use of the chords in any song with the major key signature.

Knowing your scales and key signatures you can create any major harmonic system.