Diatonic Triads For Every Key
November 19th, 2005
E-mail TipBelow is a chart listing all the diatonic triads (3-note chords) for each of the 12 major keys.
| I | IIm | IIIm | IV | V | VIm | VIIdim |
| C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am | Bdim |
| Db | Ebm | Fm | Gb | Ab | Bbm | Cdim |
| D | Em | F#m | G | A | Bm | C#dim |
| Eb | Fm | Gm | Ab | Bb | Cm | Ddim |
| E | F#m | G#m | A | B | C#m | D#dim |
| F | Gm | Am | Bb | C | Dm | Edim |
| Gb | Abm | Bbm | Cb | Db | Ebm | Fdim |
| G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em | F#dim |
| Ab | Bbm | Cm | Db | Eb | Fm | Gdim |
| A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m | G#dim |
| Bb | Cm | Dm | Eb | F | Gm | Adim |
| B | C#m | D#m | E | F# | G#m | A#dim |
To minimize the number of accidentals (sharps or flats) shown, certain keys are designated as flat (such as Db) which could also be shown as a sharp key (such as C#). Remember, C# = Db, D# = Eb, F# = Gb, G# = Ab, and A# = Bb. Note that, regardless of key, the "I, IV and V" chords are always major triads, the "II, III and VI" triads are always minor chords, and the "VII" triad is always a diminished chord.
GuitarNote!"Guitar-Friendly Keys": Pay special attention to the chords found in the "guitar-friendly" keys of C, G, D, A and E major (especially the much used I, IV and V triads). Check the article "Guitar-Friendly Keys" for more info.
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