5. Diatonic Chords

▪  Diatonic = of/on the scale. Diatonic chords are intervals on a scale.

▪  The pattern of diatonic major chords: Maj7, min7, min7, Maj7, dom, min7, min7♭5.

▪  The pattern of diatonic dominant chords: dom, min7, min7♭5, Maj7, min7, min7, maj7.

▪  Now we can combine the two (as chords diatonic to the major and chords diatonic to the dominant are on a continuum) and interpret diatonic chords in a way that flows with the Barry Harris method: 

… M6    m6/7    m7    M6    D    m7    ♭5 …

M6

(Maj6, as Maj7 has borrowed note). 

m6/7

(min6 or min7).

m7

(min7 = inversion of a maj6). 

M6

(Maj6, as Maj7 has borrowed note). 

D

(Dominant chord). 

m7

(min7 =  inversion of M6 on I).  

♭5

(min7♭5 = an inversion of a min6)

▪  Internalizing the diatonic sequence of chords is important for orientation in tunes. A diatonic chord provides information about the position in the harmonic pattern.

▪  Diatonic chords provide a range of improvisation opportunities, and are widely used in traditional Jazz. 

▪  Note: when improvising with diatonic chords be sure to resolve back to the harmonic pattern of the tune.