Major and minor chords in a key
In any major key, the chords built on the scale follow the same pattern: I, IV and V are major; ii, iii and vi are minor (vii is diminished). It is a pattern, not something to memorise key by key.
| Degree | C major | G major |
|---|---|---|
| I | C | G |
| ii | Dm | Am |
| iii | Em | Bm |
| IV | F | C |
| V | G | D |
| vi | Am | Em |
| vii° | Bdim | F#dim |
That is why G - D - Em - C (I - V - vi - IV) works: see the beginner chords.
Practise this in Hayden Keys
Free piano lessons with Ginger and Pepper: 250+ lessons, 240+ songs and play-along that listens to your real piano. No ads, no account.
Get Hayden Keys Free Piano Lessons on the App StoreOpen the free web app