Chords in the Key of C
In every key there are three principle chords, which are built upon the first, fourth fifth notes of the scale. In the C major scale these notes are C, F and G; and the three principle chords in the key of C are C major, F major and G dominant 7th (more commonly called G seven and written as G7
in chord diagram form:
C*
F
G7
These chord shapes relate directly to the exercises and songs in this book. There are however, other shapes (and fingerings) for the same chord. See Progressive Guitar Chords for a complete listing of all chord shapes.
Roman numerals, as used to number each note in a scale, can also be applied to chords. Thus, in the key of C, C major is the I chord (also called the tonic), F major is the IV chord (also called the sub-dominant) and G7 the V7 chord (also called the dominant 7th).
