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Understanding Roman Numeral Chord Notation
Roman numerals represent chords based on their position in a musical scale. This system allows musicians to transpose progressions to any key while maintaining the same harmonic relationships.
The Basics
- I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII - Uppercase = Major chords
- i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, vii - Lowercase = Minor chords
Example: Key of C Major
- I = C major (root chord)
- ii = D minor
- iii = E minor
- IV = F major
- V = G major
- vi = A minor
- VII = B diminished
Why Use Roman Numerals?
The I-V-vi-IV progression (C-G-Am-F in C major) becomes D-A-Bm-G in the key of D. The pattern stays the same, just starting from a different note. This makes it easy to play the same progression in any key!
Common Variations
- 7 = Dominant 7th chord (e.g., V7)
- maj7 = Major 7th chord
- Uppercase in minor key = Borrowed from major scale (modal interchange)