Key Chords Explorer
Chords in Every Key
Explore all the chords that naturally occur in any major or minor key. Every key contains the same pattern of chord relationships.
Key of C
Scale notes: C - D - E - F - G - A - B
Scale used: C Major scale
Tonic ("Home chord") of Key: C
Relative Key
Every major key has a relative minor key that shares the same notes. The relative minor is built on the 6th scale degree of the major scale.
The 6 Main Chords
The Diminished Chord
The vii° chord is diminished and built from the 7th scale degree. It's rarely used in beginner music.
Understanding These Chords
Major chords (I, IV, V): Bright, happy sound
Minor chords (ii, iii, vi): Sad, emotional sound
Most popular progression: I-V-vi-IV
Most popular progression: I-V-vi-IV
In the key of C major that's: C-G-Am-F
Understanding the Pattern
The Chord Sequence
These are part of the same sequence loop - just starting from different positions!
Memory Tricks
Rule 1: In major keys, chords 1, 4, and 5 are Major chords
Rule 2: In minor keys, chords 1, 4, and 5 are minor chords (although sometimes we change 5 to a major chord)
Rule 3: The diminished chord is always in the same position: 7th in sequence for major keys, 2nd in sequence for minor keys
Rule 4: The remaining chords are the opposite type to the 1, 4, and 5 chord
Major Key Example
Since the 1 chord (C) is major:
- Chords 1, 4, 5 are major (C, F, G)
- 7th chord is diminished (B°)
- Remaining chords 2, 3, 6 are minor (Dm, Em, Am)
Minor Key Example
Since the 1 chord (Cm) is minor:
- Chords 1, 4, 5 are minor (Cm, Fm, Gm)
- 2nd chord is diminished (D°)
- Remaining chords 3, 6, 7 are major (Eb, Ab, Bb)
Understanding Roman Numerals
Major Keys
I, IV, V: Uppercase = Major chords
ii, iii, vi: Lowercase = Minor chords
vii°: Lowercase + ° = Diminished chord
Minor Keys (Natural Minor)
i, iv, v: Lowercase = Minor chords
III, VI, VII: Uppercase = Major chords
ii°: Lowercase + ° = Diminished chord
Note: Can also be written as bIII, bVI, bVII to show relationship to parallel major key
Other Chords
You can make lots more chords than just the ones above. For example, "Seventh" chords add a fourth note called a seventh (7th) to the three-note chords shown above.
For more chord and scale diagrams see:
- Open Chord Library: Good for beginners - includes more chord progressions for a selection of keys that can be played with only open chords
- Barre Chord Library: Essential barre chord shapes for major, minor, and seventh chords that can be moved to any key
- Moveable Chord Shapes Library: Includes moveable chord shapes for major, minor, diminished, seventh chords, extended chords, suspended chords and altered chords
- Scale Explorer: Shows many types of chords built from different scales with fretboard diagrams