What Are Natural Chords?
Natural chords (also called diatonic chords) are chords built using only notes from a single major scale. Every major key has exactly 7 natural chords.
The Natural Chord Pattern
In ANY major key, the natural chords always follow this pattern:
Major - minor - minor - Major - Major - minor - diminished
I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii°
💡 The Pattern Never Changes!
Major - minor - minor - Major - Major - minor - diminished
I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii°
This pattern is the same in EVERY major key. C major, G major, F# major - they all follow this exact pattern!
Example: Natural Chords in C Major
| Position |
Roman Numeral |
Quality |
Chord Name |
Notes |
| 1st |
I |
Major |
C |
C - E - G |
| 2nd |
ii |
minor |
Dm |
D - F - A |
| 3rd |
iii |
minor |
Em |
E - G - B |
| 4th |
IV |
Major |
F |
F - A - C |
| 5th |
V |
Major |
G |
G - B - D |
| 6th |
vi |
minor |
Am |
A - C - E |
| 7th |
vii° |
diminished |
Bdim |
B - D - F |
Why "Natural"?
These chords are called "natural" because:
- All notes come from one scale: No sharps or flats outside the key
- Built with skip-pick: Created by stacking every other scale note
- Sound harmonious: They naturally work well together
- Most progressions use these: 90% of pop/rock uses only natural chords
🎹 Quick Check:
• If the Roman numeral matches the pattern above = Natural chord
• If it doesn't match (like VI major instead of vi minor) = Borrowed chord