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Roman Numerals

Roman Numerals can describe chords relative to a key. For example: I, IV, V communicates the same relationship in any key.


Conventions to know:

  • Uppercase (I, IV, V) indicates major chords
  • Lowercase (ii, iii, vi) indicates major chords
  • The ° symbol (vii°) indicates diminished chords

I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii°

Roman NumeralQualityScale Degree
IMajor1
iiMinor2
iiiMinor3
IVMajor4
VMajor5
viMinor6
viiDiminished7