Key map
Circle of fifths
The selected key is G major. Clockwise is a fifth above; counterclockwise is a fourth above. Tonic, dominant, and subdominant are adjacent harmonic reference points.
TonicGDominantclockwiseSubdominantcounterclockwise
↻ fifths · ↺ fourths
Current collection
G Ionian
G1A2B3C4D5E6F♯7
The major-scale collection; its bright, resolved quality is a common tonal reference.
- Key context
- 1 sharp: F♯
- Character
- 3 · 7
- Tonic harmony
- G · Gmaj7
- Relationships
- G parallel modes keep G as tonic and change the collection.
Mode relationships
Same root or same collection?
Parallel modes retain the tonic. Relative modes retain the pitch collection. These are different operations.
All cards below start on G. Compare altered degrees against the selected major reference.
1
G · A · B · C · D · E · F♯
Color degrees: 3 · 7
2
G · A · B♭ · C · D · E · F
Color degrees: 6 · ♭7
3
G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D · E♭ · F
Color degrees: ♭2 · ♭6
4
G · A · B · C♯ · D · E · F♯
Color degrees: ♯4 · 7
5
G · A · B · C · D · E · F
Color degrees: 3 · ♭7
6
G · A · B♭ · C · D · E♭ · F
Color degrees: ♭6 · ♭7
7
G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭ · F
Color degrees: ♭2 · ♭5
Scale information
What makes it Ionian
1G0 st
2A2 st
3B4 st
4C5 st
5D7 st
6E9 st
7F♯11 st
Step pattern
W–W–H–W–W–W–H
Spelling
1 sharp: F♯
Harmonic anchor
G (G · B · D)
Gmaj7 (G · B · D · F♯)
Computed relationship
E Aeolian shares this collection.
Facts above are computed. Descriptive “character” language is contextual, not a universal rule.
Diatonic harmony
Chords in the collection
DegreeHarmonyTonesFunctionActions
1IGmajorG · B · DTonic
2iiAmminorA · C · EPredominant
3iiiBmminorB · D · F♯Tonic extension
4IVCmajorC · E · GPredominant
5VDmajorD · F♯ · ADominant
6viEmminorE · G · BTonic extension
7vii°F♯dimdiminishedF♯ · A · CLeading-tone dominant
Instrument view
Play the collection
Two octaves. Filled keys are in the scale; outlined keys are the selected chord.
TonicScaleChord