Bluesette

Roman Numerals

Uppercase Roman Numerals indicate a chord function within its harmonized scale.

Intervalic Distances

• Symbol = Interval Type
• prime or ' = Prime (same root) chord species changes
• M or Δ = Major
• m or - = Minor
• P = Perfect, used for perfect fourths or fifths
• dim or º = Diminished
• aug or + = Augmented
• tri = Tritone (+4 or b5)

Direction

• ↑ or > = UP (↑) by interval indicated. ie ↑m2, ↑P4
• ↓ or < = DOWN (↓) by interval indicated. ie ↓m2, ↓P4

Harmonic Notation

• kc = Back to the main key center or tonality of song.
• kc() = Modulation to new key center relative to main key center.ie kc(↑ P4) would be a modulation up a perfect fourth from the song's main key center.
• prime ´ = Prime Modulation, root same chord type changes
• rmi = Relative Minor Modulation relative to main key center
• pmi = Parallel Minor Modulation relative to main key center
• rma = Relative Major Modulation relative to main key center
• pma = Parallel Major Modulation relative to main key center
• TB = Turnback - This is typically one or two bars in duration and leads back to an A section or to a new section.

Common Harmonic Priniciples

cyl()

Cycle - 3 of more chords the same intervalic distance apart and the same chord species. cyl(x, y, z) x = number of chords in cycle, x = interval and ↑ or ↓ direction, y = chord type.
   ie cyl(4, P4 ↓, 7th)

FD cyl()

FD cyl - Full Diatonic cycle starting on chord Y. Default is major. if not major indicate scale or mode
   ie cyl(Δ, VI ↓ IV)
   ie cyl(-, VI ↓ IV)
   ie cyl(DOR, VI ↓ IV)

RC cyl()

RC cyl - Rhythm Changes Cycle. Default starts on III7 of key center and cycles thru 4 dominant 7th chords shortcut for cyl(4, P4 ↓, 7th). see Stompin' at the Savoy for ↑P4 RC cyl().

pi3

Picardy Third - Minor II V resolving to a major I. ie Am7b5 D7 Gmaj7

ur()

Unresolved - Typically a
that does not resolve to its I chord. Δ for major (eg Dm7 G7)
- or mi for minor (Dm7b5 G7)

/

Double Functions Chords - Setting up a modulation to new key center.

The following symbols are used to indicate form.

• :] = Repeat(s) :] or [:    :] followed by x and a number if more that the standard repeat
• a) = Rehearsal Letters. A, B, C, D, etc...
• coda = Standard coda used in music
• D.S. = Standard D.S. used in music