If you like what you learn here, get a free pass to i Luv Guitar.
Sequenced Lessons on 8 Paths: Ground, Theory, Technics, Chords, Scales, Arpeggios, Reading, & Practice.
i Love Guitar Logo i Love Guitar Lessons simple. focused. thorough.
Skip to Main
          Sign Up for Practi-Zine           Free Files           Share

Guitar Chord Numbering

To organize chords, we can utilize a guitar chord numbering system. We name a particular chord, the one chord (also known as the tonic). Once a chord is named the one (I), it's alphabetical from there. So, if A is the one chord, D is the four chord (IV), & E is the five chord (V). If A is 1, D is 4, & E is 5.

In popular music, the I, IV, & V chords are commonly used chords, & you should memorize the them for every key.

The I chord is called the Tonic. The IV chord is called the Subdominant. The V chord is called the Dominant.

Tonics like to move to Subdominants. Subdominants like to move to Dominants. Dominants like to go to Tonics. When chords follow this progression ( I to IV to V to I), this is considered progressive harmony (regressive being the reverse).

Progressive Harmony moves like this…

guitar harmony

The Subdominant

The subdominant is called the subdominant because it is the dominant below (5 tones below), not because it is one under the Dominant.

Tonics (I), Subdominants (IV), and Dominants (V)

These following chords are triads (3-note chords).

These triads can be used for most styles, but if you were to follow the blues progressions, you need to add the flat 7 to these chords to get the blues sound.

Particular styles use particular voicings. The voicings (the ways we sound chords - we have choices) below are perfect for folk, country, rock ballads, etc.

Right

power chords

power chords

I, IV, V for All Keys

one, four, five in every key

Guitar chord numbering is a great way to keep track of relationships between chords. It is important to memorize (move information to pure knowledge) the relationships between chords.

Practice playing the blues progressions by substituting these triads in those progressions.

And, memorize the relationships, starting with C, G, D, A, & E (main 'guitar keys').

Apply guitar chord numbering in all keys (I ii iii IV V vi viio)

ARCHIVE

Ground
Using a Capo
Fingerpicking Mechanics
Fingerpicking Arpeggios
Harmonics
Twinkle
Pivot Exercises
Chords
The B Chord
Chord Puzzle Directions
Chord Puzzle
E Form Building Voicings
Chord Numbering System
E, A, D Chord Forms
E Major Chord Scale
D Chord Scales
12 Bar Blues Progressions
Cascade
Creative Exercise
A minor Triads in Notation
minor Key 7th chords
Triad Chord Inversions
7th Chord Inversions
Harmonic Map
By Key: C G D A E B F# Gb Db Ab Eb Bb F
Scales
7 Patterns Tone Names
5 Frames Tone Names
Scale to Chord Linking
E minor Cascades
A Harmonic minor
Blues Scales
E Major - Linear
E Major Guitar Scale
E Natural minor

i Luv Guitar

Accelerate Your Guitar Studies: i Luv Guitar Membership Site
Connect: Sign Up for Our Practi-Zine
Submit Feedback [or on any page]
If you'd like to see this site grow, please consider making a development contribution. Anything helps! Big Luv.
© 2006 - 2010 i Love Guitar, i Luv Guitar, jamey Faulkner. All Rights Reserved.