30/01/2025
-DIATONIC CHORDS
In music theory, diatonic chords are chords that are built from the notes of a specific key or scale, without using any non-diatonic (outside) notes.
To construct diatonic chords, you need to:
1. Choose a key or scale (e.g., C major, G minor, etc.).
2. Identify the notes within that key or scale.
3. Build chords using only those notes.
For example, in the key of C major, the diatonic notes are:
C, D, E, F, G, A, B
Using these notes, you can build the following diatonic chords:
- C major (C-E-G)
- D minor (D-F-A)
- E minor (E-G-B)
- F major (F-A-C)
- G major (G-B-D)
- A minor (A-C-E)
These chords are diatonic because they only use notes within the C major key.
Diatonic chords are essential in music theory, as they:
- Create a sense of tonality and key
- Provide harmonic structure and progression
- Allow for smooth, logical chord transitions
In contrast, non-diatonic chords (also called chromatic chords) use notes outside the key or scale, adding tension and color to the music.
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