5.19 The primary degrees in C minor
Category: Harmony | Tags: Primary degrees |
Theory
In this chapter, I’ll teach you which tones in the C minor scale make up the first, fourth and fifth degree, and the dominant seventh chord. The examples demonstrate different ways of playing these chords. You’ll learn how to recognise these chords and build them yourself in the exercise.
1. The first degree (I)
The first degree (I) is comprised of the notes: C Eb G.
Examples
2. The fourth degree (IV)
The fourth degree (IV) in the natural and harmonic C minor scale is comprised of the notes: F Ab C.
Examples
The fourth degree (IV) in the melodic C minor scale is comprised of the notes: F A C.
Examples
3. The fifth degree (V)
The fifth degree (V) in the natural C minor scale is comprised of the notes: G Bb D.
Examples
The fifth degree (V) in the harmonic and melodic C minor scale is comprised of the notes: G B D.
Examples
4. The dominant seventh chord (V7)
The dominant seventh chord (V7) is comprised of the notes: G B D F (harmonic and melodic).
Examples
5. Practise
Harmony exercise 5l: practise recognizing the primary degrees in C minor.
Get the full course6. Table of degrees for C minor
For completeness, I’ll also give you an overview of all the degrees in the C minor scale.
Natural C minor |
||
Degree | Root | triad |
I | C | C Eb G |
II | D | D F Ab |
III | Eb | Eb G Bb |
IV | F | F Ab C |
V | G | G Bb D |
VI | Ab | Ab C Eb |
VII | Bb | Bb D F |
Harmonic C minor |
||
Degree | Root | triad |
I | C | C Eb G |
II | D | D F Ab |
III | Eb | Eb G B |
IV | F | F Ab C |
V | G | G B D |
V | G | G B D F |
VI | Ab | Ab C Eb |
VII | B | B D F |
Melodic C minor |
||
Degree | Root | triad |
I | C | C Eb G |
II | D | D F A |
III | Eb | Eb G B |
IV | F | F A C |
V | G | G B D |
V | G | G B D F |
VI | A | A C Eb |
VII | B | B D F |
Summary
The primary degrees in C minor
- The first degree (I) is comprised of the notes: C Eb G
- The fourth degree (IV) is comprised of the notes: F Ab C (natural and harmonic) or F A C (melodic)
- The fifth degree (V) is comprised of the notes: G Bb D (natural) or G B D (harmonic and melodic)
- The dominant seventh chord (V7) is comprised of the notes: G B D F
Practise
Harmony exercise 5l: practise recognizing the primary degrees in C minor.
Get the full course