Creating the Diatonic Progression

(in C Major)

1. What is a diatonic chord?

Every major scale is made up of seven (7) notes (C-D-E-F-G-A-B in the key of
C)

A triad (chord) can be attached to each of these notes. The notes used in
every triad come from the major scale.

These are diatonic chords, meaning that each chord is either major or minor
based on the key signature

2. Start with the Major Scale (in C)

Start with the very first note in the C major scale C

3. Add two (2) triads on top of the C

There should be an (E) and a (G) on top of the C. As we know, a

Major 3rd (C and E) and a minor 3rd (e and g) create a Major triad.

Label this chord as I (Roman numeral one) underneath the staff.

 4. Look at the second note of the C major scale hint, its D

Add two (2) more triads on top of this note.

Are there any sharps or flats in C major? another hint, the answer is
no.

Your triad should look something like this:

The notes are D-F-A

Because there are no sharps or flats in C major, d f is a minor triad and F-

A is a major triad. A minor and a major triad create a minor chord.

Thus, this chord becomes d-minor

Label this as ii (lowercase Roman numeral two) underneath the staff.

5. Refer to your worksheet on the other side. Create triads on the

remaining 5 notes in the C major scale. Label them as Major or Minor
and attach the appropriate Roman numeral under each chord.