diatonic harmony

theorydy-uh-TON-ik HAR-muh-neefrom Greek

Harmony built exclusively from the notes of the prevailing major or minor scale.‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌

In Depth

Diatonic harmony uses only chords constructed from the seven notes of the current key.‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌ In C major, the diatonic triads are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, and B°. These seven chords and their extensions form the harmonic vocabulary of most tonal music. Understanding diatonic harmony is the first step in music theory — before exploring chromaticism, borrowed chords, or modulation, a student must master the relationships between chords within a single key. The most common progressions in pop music (I-V-vi-IV, I-iv-V, ii-V-I) are all diatonic.

Did you know?

The I-V-vi-IV [chord progression](/term/chord%20progression) is so universal in pop music that it has been nicknamed the Axis of Awesome progression — after the comedy group that demonstrated it underlies dozens of hit songs.

Related Terms

diatonic harmony chord progression key

More in Theory

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accidental

A sharp, flat, or natural sign that alters a note from the prevailing key signature.

accidentals explained

Symbols placed before notes to raise or lower their pitch by a semitone or return them to their natural state

acoustic

Relating to sound or the properties of sound, especially music produced without electronic amplification.

Aeolian mode

The natural minor scale, with the pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W, producing the most common minor tonality in Western music.

aleatory

Music in which some element of the composition is left to chance or to the performer's discretion.

alto

The second-highest voice type, or an instrument pitched between soprano and tenor.

amplitude

The measure of a sound wave's intensity, perceived as loudness or volume.

anacrusis

One or more notes before the first full bar of a piece, also called a pickup or upbeat.

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