Diatonic Chords in C Major:
1. C Major (I)
Notes: C - E - G
Type: Major
Function: Tonic (home chord, stable and restful).
2. D Minor (ii)
Notes: D - F - A
Type: Minor
Function: Subdominant or pre-dominant (leads to more tension).
3. E Minor (iii)
Notes: E - G - B
Type: Minor
Function: Mediant (can substitute for tonic or act as a connecting chord).
4. F Major (IV)
Notes: F - A - C
Type: Major
Function: Subdominant (creates a sense of movement, resolves to tonic or dominant).
5. G Major (V)
Notes: G - B - D
Type: Major
Function: Dominant (creates tension, resolves strongly to tonic).
6. A Minor (vi)
Notes: A - C - E
Type: Minor
Function: Submediant (provides a softer contrast to the tonic).
7. B Diminished (vii°)
Notes: B - D - F
Type: Diminished
Function: Leading tone (unstable, resolves strongly to tonic).
Triads in C Major
A triad is a basic three-note chord made up of the root, third, and fifth. The triads in C major are:
C major (I): C - E - G
D minor (ii): D - F - A
E minor (iii): E - G - B
F major (IV): F - A - C
G major (V): G - B - D
A minor (vi): A - C - E
B diminished (vii°): B - D - F
Seventh Chords in C Major:
Adding a 7th to each triad forms seventh chords. These are more complex and add richness to harmony:
C Major 7 (I7): C - E - G - B
D Minor 7 (ii7): D - F - A - C
E Minor 7 (iii7): E - G - B - D
F Major 7 (IV7): F - A - C - E
G Dominant 7 (V7): G - B - D - F
A Minor 7 (vi7): A - C - E - G
B Half-Diminished 7 (vii7): B - D - F - A
Common Chord Progressions in C Major:
Here are some common progressions using the diatonic chords of C major:
I - IV - V - I
C - F - G - C (classic resolution).
vi - IV - I - V
Am - F - C - G (used in pop songs).
ii - V - I
Dm - G - C (common in jazz and classical music).
I - vi - IV - V
C - Am - F - G (another popular pop progression).