DIATONIC CHORDS IN MINOR KEYS

Diatonic triad chords in minor keys

The next figure shows the diatonic triad chords on the scale degrees of the A minor key. Both the ascending and descending sixth and seventh scale degrees of the melodic minor scale must be included. We would have the same chord qualities, the same harmony annotations and different chord roots if we chose some other minor key. This is the reason why we can examine only the A minor key. 

In the figure, we can see the anomaly related to the harmony annotation. We already mentioned it in chapter Anomaly in harmony annotation.

Figure: The diatonic triad chords in the A minor key

The next figure shows only the often used diatonic triad chords. For each scale degree, only one diatonic triad chord is shown. The other diatonic triad chords occur rarely in the compositions from the common practice period.

Figure: The often used diatonic triad chords in the A minor key

In a minor key, the often-used diatonic triad chords have the following chord qualities:

• Minor triad on the first and fourth scale degree

• Major triad on the third, fifth and sixth scale degree

• Diminished triad on the second and seventh scale degree

Diatonic seventh chords in minor keys

The next figure shows the diatonic seventh chords on the scale degrees of the A minor key. Both the ascending and descending sixth and seventh scale degrees of the melodic minor scale must be included. We would have the same chord qualities, the same harmony annotations and different chord roots if we chose some other minor key. This is the reason why we can examine only the A minor key. 

In the figure, we can see the anomaly related to the harmony annotation. We already mentioned it in chapter Anomaly in harmony annotation.

Figure: The diatonic seventh chords in the A minor key 

The next figure shows only the often used diatonic seventh chords. For each scale degree, only one diatonic seventh chord is shown. The other diatonic seventh chords occur rarely in the compositions from the common practice period.

Figure: The often used diatonic seventh chords in the A minor key 

In a minor key, the often-used diatonic seventh chords have the following chord qualities:

• Minor seventh on the first and fourth scale degree 

• Dominant seventh on the fifth scale degree

• Major seventh on the third and sixth scale degree

• Diminished seventh on the seventh scale degree

• Half-diminished seventh on the second scale degree