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Harmonising the major scale

 
 

Taking the C major scale as an example:

The Roman numerals and generic names of each degree of the scale are constant for all keys. These are used, somewhat confusingly, to refer both to the notes on a major scale and to the chords built on those notes:

 

 

The same procedure is used to harmonise any major scale. Here is the scale of D major harmonised. Notice the effect that the key signature has on the chord types. Also notice how the sequence of chord types remains the same, ie. I = major, II = minor, III = minor, IV = major, V = major, VI = minor, VII = diminished, VIII = major. This is true for all major keys.

 

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