Professional Documents
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Chords and how they function in a key are refered to by an identification system called roman
numeral analysis. Each chord in a key is assigned a roman numeral so that their root
relationships can be studied. The root of the chord and its scale position in the key determine
the roman numeral assigned. Upper case roman numerals signify major triads in root position
while lower case roman numerals signify minor triads in root position. A "o" is used after a
roman numeral to indicate that a triad is diminished and a "+" for augmented. In all major
keys the tonic triad (I) is major, the supertonic and mediant triads (ii and iii) are minor, the
subdominant and dominant triads (IV and V) are major, the submediant triad (vi) is minor,
and the leading-tone triad (viio) is diminished.
The quality of the triads in a minor key are different from major. They also differ depending
on which form of the minor scale is being used. Scale degrees 6 and 7 are variable and give
rise to six additional triads. Compare the triad qualities of each of the following minor key
examples. Notice that all the triads except tonic can be of more than one quality.
from Ich Schell mein Horn ins Jammertal, Op. 43, No.3 by Brahms
This example by Brahms is in Bb major. It consists of a sequence of triads in root position.