Basic Chord

The basic chords are the seven chords built from the scale degrees contained in the major scale. Each chord is constructed from three scale degrees, giving rise to a corresponding chord with its own unique sound and function. These chords are numbered using Roman numerals (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii^°), where uppercase numerals denote major chords, and lowercase numerals denote minor chords, with the vii^° chord being diminished in quality. Each basic chord serves different functions within a progression, with the I chord often acting as the tonal "home base," while other chords like IV and V often go back to this tonal center (known as a cadence). Understanding and utilizing these basic chords forms the backbone of creating and analyzing harmony in popular music.

Here are the seven basic chords formed from the major scale, shown in Hooktheory's relative notation. The actual chord names are displayed below for the key of C.

Below, you can listen to the basic chords and see the scale degrees that make each of them up.