In other words, triads labeled “I” in any major key will be major triads containing do, mi, and sol. In major keys, chords with the same Roman numeral are made up of the same scale-degrees (using the same solfège syllables), and they have the same quality. When notating specific chords with specific qualities, we will differentiate those qualities in the Roman numerals.) In this textbook, we use all-capital Roman numerals to refer to chords generally, when quality does not matter. In such cases, all Roman numerals are capital. (Some musicians prefer to use Roman numerals only to reflect the scale-degree of the chord root. In general, Roman numerals are generally labeled below the score. Capital Roman numerals followed by a + sign (V +, for example) are used for augmented triads. Lower-case Roman numerals followed by a º sign (iiº, viiº, etc.) are used for diminished triads. Lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.) are used for minor triads. Capital Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.) are used for major triads. Some musicians also use Roman numerals to describe the quality of the chord. One system for doing so uses Roman numerals to designate the scale degree of the chord’s root. And so on.Ĭhords are often labeled according to their function within a key. A D-sharp-diminished triad with an F-sharp in the bass is D#dim/F#.
augmented triad: lower-case “aug” or a plus sign “+”įinally, if a pitch class other than the chord root is the lowest note in the chord, a slash is added, followed by a capital letter denoting the pitch class in the bass (lowest) voice.Ī C-major triad’s lead-sheet symbol is simply C.
That letter is followed by information about a chord’s quality: A lead sheet symbol includes information about both root quality, as well as which pitch class occurs in the lowest voice (called the bass regardless of who is singing or playing that pitch).Ī lead-sheet symbol begins with a capital letter (and, if necessary, an accidental) denoting the root of the chord.
To find a triad’s quality, identify the interval between the root and the other members of the chord. Once you know the root, you can identify the remaining notes as the third of the chord (a third above the root) and the fifth of the chord (a fifth above the root).
Expressed another way, if the circle ascends by thirds as it moves clockwise, the root is the “earliest” note (thinking like a literal clock), and the other pitch classes come “later.” The root is the lowest in the three-pitch-class clump. To find a triad’s root, arrange the pitch classes on a circle of thirds (mentally or on paper). Triads are identified according to their root and quality. The pitch classes of a triad will always sit next to each other. To quickly determine whether a three-note chord is a triad, arrange the three notes on the “circle of thirds” below. A chord is any combination of three or more pitch classes that sound simultaneously.Ī three-note chord whose pitch classes can be arranged as thirds is called a triad.