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Triads Built on Scale Steps

We identify triads with Roman numerals that correspond to each step of the scale. For example, the I chord is built on Step 1 of the scale, the ii chord is built on Step 2 of the scale, etc. In any key, we use the same Roman numerals even though the chord names will be different.

To illustrate this point, let's look at the V chord, which is built on the 5th step of a Major scale. The V chord is always built on the 5th tone of the Major scale, no matter what key we are in. But the chord name itself will be different from one key to the next. For example, the V chord in the key of C is G Major because G is the 5th step of the C Major scale. The V chord in the key of G is D Major because D is the 5th step of the G Major scale.

The types of triads naturally built on each tone of a Major scale are identified below. (Note: Uppercase Roman numerals (e.g., "V") denote Major chords, and lowercase Roman numerals (e.g., "iii") denote minor chords. The "o" symbol denotes a diminished chord.)

Key of C Major:

The types of triads naturally built on each tone of a natural minor scale are identified below (e.g., the triad built on the VI step of a natural minor scale is a Major chord):

Key of A Minor: