Diatonic chords are built from the notes of a single key. There are seven diatonic chords in any given key, each corresponding to one of the seven notes in that key's scale. These chords are constructed by stacking thirds on top of each scale degree.
Here is a breakdown of diatonic chords in a major key:
- **I (Tonic)**: Major chord based on the first scale degree.
- **ii (Supertonic)**: Minor chord based on the second scale degree.
- **iii (Mediant)**: Minor chord based on the third scale degree.
- **IV (Subdominant)**: Major chord based on the fourth scale degree.
- **V (Dominant)**: Major chord based on the fifth scale degree.
- **vi (Submediant)**: Minor chord based on the sixth scale degree.
- **vii° (Leading Tone)**: Diminished chord based on the seventh scale degree.
In a minor key, the diatonic chords are slightly different due to the altered scale degrees:
- **i (Tonic)**: Minor chord based on the first scale degree.
- **ii° (Supertonic)**: Diminished chord based on the second scale degree.
- **♭III (Mediant)**: Major chord based on the third scale degree.
- **iv (Subdominant)**: Minor chord based on the fourth scale degree.
- **v (Dominant)**: Minor chord based on the fifth scale degree (often raised to V in harmonic minor).
- **♭VI (Submediant)**: Major chord based on the sixth scale degree.
- **♭VII (Subtonic)**: Major chord based on the seventh scale degree (often raised to vii° in harmonic minor).
Diatonic chords are fundamental in music theory as they define a key's harmonic structure and progression.
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