Major Scale Diatonic 7th Chords

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Each major scale contains 7 diatonic 7th chords. These chords are built exclusively from
the notes of the scale and are used to create common progressions such as 251s, 36251s
and 1625 turnarounds. Learning and memorising the diatonic 7th chords will give you a
much greater harmonic understanding of the major keys.

C Major

F Major

Bb Major

Eb Major

Ab Major

Db Major
Gb Major

B Major

E Major

A Major

D Major

G Major

Practice Exercises
Play through each key whilst saying the name of the chord out loud. Also say the scale degree
which the chord is built from. For example, Dm7 is the 2 chord of C major. Ebmaj7 is the 5 chord
of Ab major.

In jazz, we think of chords in terms of the scale degree that they are built. It is then much easier
to think of progressions numerically ie. 251 progression, 36251 progression and the 1625
turnaround. This allows us to quickly and easily apply these progressions to all keys.