To answer this question we first of all need to take a look at the C major scale. The C major scale consists of the notes C D E F G A B C. Each of the chords in the key of C major are named after one of these notes. Secondly, all the chords in this key (C major) makes use of these notes only.
There is a pattern of naming chords for every major key. This pattern is Major Minor Minor Major Major Minor Diminished.
Here are the chords in C major. I shall list both the triads (three note chords) and four note extended chords (with sevenths). Roman numerals indicate each chord’s position relative to the scale. Numerals that represent a major chord are usually capitalized, and minor and diminished chords are lower case.
I – C major, C major seventh (Cmaj, Cmaj7)
– C major, C major seventh (Cmaj, Cmaj7) ii – D minor, D minor seventh (Dm, Dm7)
– D minor, D minor seventh (Dm, Dm7) iii – E minor, E minor seventh (Em, Em7)
– E minor, E minor seventh (Em, Em7) IV – F major, F major seventh (F, Fmaj 7)
– F major, F major seventh (F, Fmaj 7) V – G major, G dominant seventh (G, G7)
– G major, G dominant seventh (G, G7) vi – A minor, A minor seventh (Am, Am7)
– A minor, A minor seventh (Am, Am7) vii° – B diminished, B minor seventh flat five (B°, Bm7b5)
Clearly, the basic chords/triads in the key of C major are C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor, and B diminished.
When we add sevenths to these chords we end up with C major seventh, D minor seventh, E minor seventh, F major seventh, G dominant seventh, A minor seventh, and B minor seventh flat five (which on your instrument is the same as B half diminished seventh).
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The following Key Chord Chart shows all the triads in C major as well as four note extended chords.
Piano Chords In The Key Of C Major
So what are the notes of these chords?
Chord I , C major consists of the notes, C – E – G, while C major seventh consists of the notes, C – E – G – B.
, C major consists of the notes, C – E – G, while C major seventh consists of the notes, C – E – G – B. Chord ii , D minor consists of the notes, D – F – A. D minor seventh consists of the notes, D – F – A – C.
, D minor consists of the notes, D – F – A. D minor seventh consists of the notes, D – F – A – C. Chord iii , E minor contains the notes, E – G – B. E minor seventh contains the notes, E – G – B – D.
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, E minor contains the notes, E – G – B. E minor seventh contains the notes, E – G – B – D. Chord IV , F major contains the notes, F – A – C. F major seventh contains the notes, F – A – C – E.
, F major contains the notes, F – A – C. F major seventh contains the notes, F – A – C – E. Chord V , G major contains the notes, G – B – D. G dominant seventh contains the notes, G – B – D – F.
, G major contains the notes, G – B – D. G dominant seventh contains the notes, G – B – D – F. Chord vi , A minor consists of the notes, A – C – E. A minor seventh consists of the note, A – C – E – G.
, A minor consists of the notes, A – C – E. A minor seventh consists of the note, A – C – E – G. Lastly, chord vii°, B diminished consists of the notes, B – D – F, while B minor seventh flat five consists of the notes, B – D – F – A.
Common chord progressions in the key of C major are as follows:
I – IV – V (C – F- G)
I – vi – IV – V (C – Am – F – G)
ii – V – I (Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7)
The following are diagrams of the C major key signature and the notes of the C major scale on the treble and bass clefs. This scale has no sharps and no flats. On piano, you play white keys only.
Here is the C major scale on piano.
Chords By Key: Chords In The Keys Of A, B, C, D, E, F, G Flat, Sharp, Major & Minor
List Of Piano Chords
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