Musical chords derive from the scale’s harmonization: it means superimposing notes over a scale’s degree by thirds. Every scale can be harmonized, but western music bases above all on major and minor scales’ harmonization.
Here are all chords of each Major and Minor (Natural, Harmonic, Melodic ) key.
You must know and play them, music bases (above all) on these chords.
Major key chord chart
Major key has two major seventh chords on I and IV degrees; there are minor seventh chords on II, III and VI degrees while dominant 7 chord is on V. Half diminished chord is on the VII degree of major key. I, II or IV, and V are the most used chords. Classical pop progressions are I – VI – IV – V or I – III – II – V. However, in music you can find every combination of all these chords.
Pay attention to IV degree (Major with augmented 4th )
- Here are the major and minor scales with their chords
Harmonic minor key chord charts
Harmonic minor key is the classical minor scale; I think it is the true minor scale because the natural minor ones is similar to the major scale while melodic minor scale is less used. This scale has minor major seventh chord on the first degree; there are major chords on III and VI; half diminished chord is on the second degree, diminished 7 on VII and minor seventh is on fourth one. Dominant seventh chord is on V and it has also minor ninth and minor sixth!
- Here is the harmonic minor chord chart
Melodic minor key chord chart
Melodic minor scale is less used than natural and harmonic scales but it is important. Pay attention to IV degree ( seventh chord with augmented 4th) and to II degree (min 7th )
- Melodic minor chord chart
Pay attention to II degree ( half diminished ) and to VII degree ( diminished seventh )
Natural minor key chord chart
Natural minor scale is much used in pop, dance, classical and jazz tunes. It has a catchy sound and many people love it! However, it has the same major scale’s chords but they have different position. For example, in D natural minor key, C7 is on the VII degree while in F major key it is on V degree.Pay attention to V degree ( Minor 7th) and to VII degree (7th chord)
- This is the natural minor chord chart
These chord charts are the harmonic base of classical, jazz and pop music. They derive, above all, from J.S. Bach but also other great classical composers.
Considerations on seventh chords and their key
Seventh chords are complete chords, in the sense that they have the main notes that determine the harmony of a chord. The fundamental, the third, the fifth and the seventh (said “chordal notes”) does understand the key and the type of a chord. Besides they may determine, comparing with the neighboring chords to what key it belongs and then from what scale’s degree is produced. In my pop blues music, I use nearly only seventh chords that have a complex but non too dissonant sound.
You can learn everything about improvisation reading articles, watching tutorial videos and listening solos published on the Web. Internet offers you a great resource to learn music harmony, theory and improvisation but the best resource is your passion for this art!