Principal Chords
The three principal chords in each key are the:
The three principal chords are C, F and G7 on the cycle of fifths. If you pick out any chord and call it the tonic ( I ) chord, then the subdominant ( IV ) chord is the next chord in a counter clockwise direction. The dominant seventh chord is the next chord in a clockwise direction.
E.g., In the key of A the 3 principal chords are:
The three principal chords in minor keys can also be found in the same way, but the I and IV chords will be minor chords.
E.g., the three principal chords in the key of A minor are:
The next progression travels around the cycle in a counter clockwise direction.
The previous progression starts the cycle with a Cmaj7 chord, but you can start at any position in the cycle e.g., play around the cycle starting with a Gbmaj7. Also you can play around the cycle using different chord types e.g., dominant 7th chords.
As a Jazz musician you may often be asked to play tunes or improvise over chord progressions that progress through the cycle starting at a given point.
You should be aware that many chord progressions are created by starting at a given point on the cycle, then moving one or more spaces on the wheel (as shown on the previous page) and working back toward the key chord one step at a time.
