Roman Numeral Analysis: Triads
printed from www.musictheory.net
When analyzing music, each diatonic triad is identified by a Roman numeral.
The first diatonic triad of a scale uses the Roman numeral for one.
The second diatonic triad uses the Roman numeral for two.
This pattern continues.
In addition, the modern Roman numeral system uses different styles for each triad type.
Upper-case numerals represent major triads.
Lower-case numerals represent minor triads.
Upper-case numerals with a small plus sign represent augmented triads.
Lower-case numerals with a small circle represent diminished triads.
Let's apply Roman numerals to the C major scale.
Since the first triad is major, its numeral is upper-case.
The second triad is minor. Its numeral is lower-case.
The third triad's numeral is also lower-case.
The fourth triad's numeral is upper-case.
The fifth triad's numeral is also upper-case.
The sixth triad's numeral is lower-case.
The seventh triad is diminished. Its numeral is lower-case with a small circle.
The last triad is the same as the first.
Next, let's apply Roman numerals to the C natural minor scale.
Since the first triad is minor, its numeral is lower-case.
The second triad is diminished. Its numeral is lower-case with a small circle.
The third triad's numeral is upper-case.
The fourth triad's numeral is lower-case.
The fifth triad's numeral is also lower-case.
The sixth triad's numeral is upper-case.
The seventh triad's numeral is also upper-case.
Again, the last triad is the same as the first.
Next, let's apply Roman numerals to the C harmonic minor scale.
The third triad is now augmented. Its numeral is upper-case with a small plus sign.
The fifth triad is now major. Its numeral is upper-case.
The seventh triad is now diminished. Its numeral is lower-case with a small circle.
Next, let's apply Roman numerals to the C melodic minor scale.
The second triad is now minor. Its numeral is lower-case with no circle.
The fourth triad is now major. Its numeral is upper-case.
The sixth triad is now diminished. Its numeral is lower-case with a small circle.
The Roman numeral system can also indicate inversions.
First inversion is represented by a small 6 after the numeral. This is due to the root being a generic sixth above the bass note.
Second inversion is represented with both a small 6 and 4. This is due to the root and third being a generic sixth and fourth above the bass note.
Other systems for identifying inversions exist.
Some theorists use both a 6 and a 3 to represent first inversion.
Others use an “a” suffix to represent root position, “b” for first inversion, and “c” for second inversion.
While we will use the 6 alone, you should be aware of the other representation.
Although we will use the 6 and 6/4 numeric system, you should be aware that the others exist.
Use this chart to reference the Roman numerals for each scale.
Use this chart to reference the Roman numerals for inversions.
If this lesson helps you, please purchase our apps to support our site.
When analyzing music, each diatonic triad is identified by a Roman numeral.
The first diatonic triad of a scale uses the Roman numeral for one.
The second diatonic triad uses the Roman numeral for two.
This pattern continues.
In addition, the modern Roman numeral system uses different styles for each triad type.
Upper-case numerals represent major triads.
Lower-case numerals represent minor triads.
Upper-case numerals with a small plus sign represent augmented triads.
Lower-case numerals with a small circle represent diminished triads.
Let's apply Roman numerals to the C major scale.
Since the first triad is major, its numeral is upper-case.
The second triad is minor. Its numeral is lower-case.
The third triad's numeral is also lower-case.
The fourth triad's numeral is upper-case.
The fifth triad's numeral is also upper-case.
The sixth triad's numeral is lower-case.
The seventh triad is diminished. Its numeral is lower-case with a small circle.
The last triad is the same as the first.
Next, let's apply Roman numerals to the C natural minor scale.
Since the first triad is minor, its numeral is lower-case.
The second triad is diminished. Its numeral is lower-case with a small circle.
The third triad's numeral is upper-case.
The fourth triad's numeral is lower-case.
The fifth triad's numeral is also lower-case.
The sixth triad's numeral is upper-case.
The seventh triad's numeral is also upper-case.
Again, the last triad is the same as the first.
Next, let's apply Roman numerals to the C harmonic minor scale.
The third triad is now augmented. Its numeral is upper-case with a small plus sign.
The fifth triad is now major. Its numeral is upper-case.
The seventh triad is now diminished. Its numeral is lower-case with a small circle.
Next, let's apply Roman numerals to the C melodic minor scale.
The second triad is now minor. Its numeral is lower-case with no circle.
The fourth triad is now major. Its numeral is upper-case.
The sixth triad is now diminished. Its numeral is lower-case with a small circle.
The Roman numeral system can also indicate inversions.
First inversion is represented by a small 6 after the numeral. This is due to the root being a generic sixth above the bass note.
Second inversion is represented with both a small 6 and 4. This is due to the root and third being a generic sixth and fourth above the bass note.
Other systems for identifying inversions exist.
Some theorists use both a 6 and a 3 to represent first inversion.
Others use an “a” suffix to represent root position, “b” for first inversion, and “c” for second inversion.
While we will use the 6 alone, you should be aware of the other representation.
Although we will use the 6 and 6/4 numeric system, you should be aware that the others exist.
Use this chart to reference the Roman numerals for each scale.
Use this chart to reference the Roman numerals for inversions.
If this lesson helps you, please purchase our apps to support our site.