Understanding

the

Basics of Harmony
By
Pierre McNicoll

Exercise Templates

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Chapter 1
1. Find the diatonic chords (in both three and four-note forms) in the
following keys: G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb and Ab.

G A-
G: GMaj7 A-7

D:

A:

E:

F:

Bb:

Eb:

Ab:

2. Write the following chord progressions in the same keys as those shown
above:

a)
IMaj7 VI-7 II-7 V7 IMaj7
G:
D:
A:
E:
F:
Bb :
Eb :
Ab :

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b)
II-7 V7 IMaj7
G:
D:
A:
E:
F:
Bb :
Eb :
Ab :

c)
III-7 VI-7 II-7 V7 IMaj7
G:
D:
A:
E:
F:
Bb :
Eb :
Ab :

d)
I II- V I
G:
D:
A:
E:
F:
Bb :
Eb :
Ab :

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e)
I VI- IV V I
G:
D:
A:
E:
F:
Bb :
Eb :
Ab :

f)
I III- IV V I
G:
D:
A:
E:
F:
Bb :
Eb :
Ab :

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Chapter 2
1. Find the secondary dominant chords required for each of the different keys
presented below:

G F D Bb
V7/IV V7/V V7/II V7/III
V7/II V7/II V7/V V7/V
V7/III V7/VI V7/III V7/II
V7/VI V7/III V7/VI V7/IV
V7/V V7/IV V7/IV V7/VI

2. Fill in the missing arrows in the following examples and write the progressions
in the keys of G, F, D, Bb, A and Eb:

G:
F:
D:
Bb:
A:
Eb:

G:
F:
D:
Bb:
A:
Eb:

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G:
F:
D:
Bb:
A:
Eb:

G:
F:
D:
Bb:
A:
Eb:

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Chapter 3
1. Using the Roman numeral analysis provided in the examples given
below, use the templates provided to fill in the missing chords in each of
the following keys: F, Bb, G and D.

F:
Bb:
G:
D:

F:
Bb:
G:
D:

F:
Bb:
G:
D:

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F:
Bb:
G:
D:

Chapter 4
1. In the examples given below and for each of the following keys: A, E,
F, Eb, D and Bb, write the chords illustrated by the Roman numeral
analysis provided. Enharmonic spelling is allowed for chord writing.

A:

E:

F:

Eb:

D:

Bb:

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A:

E:

F:

Eb:

D:

Bb:

A:

E:

F:

Eb:

D:

Bb:

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Chapter 5
1. For each of the following keys: C, G, F and D, write the chords
illustrated by the Roman numeral analysis provided in the examples
below:

C:

G:

F:

D:

C:

G:

F:

D:

C:

G:

F:

D:

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2. In the three following keys find the requested substitute dominant

chords:

D Bb A

SubV/II ________ SubV/IV ________ SubV/V ________

SubV/I ________ SubV/I ________ SubV/II ________

SubV/VI ________ SubV/II ________ SubV/VI ________

SubV/V ________ SubV/V ________ SubV/III ________

SubV/III ________ SubV/VI ________ SubV/I ________

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Chapter 6
1. Using the example provided below as a model, identify the different
modes, tensions available and “notes to avoid”:

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Chapter 7
1. Using the relevant Major Key signatures included in each example,
identify the Secondary Dominant chordscale that applies to the analysis
shown. Indicate the appropriate tensions and notes to avoid for each
mode. Use the example as a model:
Model :

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2. Fill in the appropriate notes and tensions for the following modes or
chordscales:

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3. Using the relevant Major Key signatures included in the armature of

each staff, write the diminished chordscale that applies to the analysis
shown. Indicate the appropriate tensions and notes to avoid for each
mode:

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Chapter 8
1. Based on the chord progressions provided, fill in the cells of the tables
below. Use the following keys: G-, D-, F- and A-.

G-:

D-:

F-:

A-:

G-:

D-:

F-:

A-:

G-:

D-:

F-:

A-:

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3. Write the appropriate Minor scales as well as the key signatures:

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4. Write the chords as well as the Roman numeral analysis for the different
minor modes from the last exercise:

G Harmonic Minor
I- IIdim bIIIaug IV- V bVI VIIdim
G- Adim Bbaug C- D Eb F#dim
I-Maj7 II-7b5 bIIIMaj7#5 IV-7 V7b9 bVIMaj7 VIIdim7
G-Maj7 A-7b5 BbMaj7#5 C-7 D7b9 EbMaj7 F#dim7

E Natural Minor

F Jazz Minor

D Harmonic Minor

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B Jazz Minor

F# Natural Minor

B Harmonic Minor

D Traditional Minor (ascending) = Jazz Minor

E Harmonic Minor

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Chapter 9
1. Complete the chord progressions that follow in G, F, Eb, Bb, A and D:

Modes:
G:

F:
Eb:
Bb:

A:
D:

Modes:
G:
F:
Eb:
Bb:

A:
D:

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Modes:
G:
F:
Eb:
Bb:
A:

D:

Modes:

G:
F:
Eb:

Bb:
A:
D:

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Modes:
G:
F:
Eb:
Bb:

A:
D:

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Chapter 10
1. Write the chords as well as the Roman numeral analysis for the different
modes, as in the example provided below:

G Dorian
I- II- bIII IV V- VIdim bVII
G- A- Bb C D- Edim F
I-7 II-7 bIIIMaj7 IV7 V-7 VI-7b5 bVIIMaj7
G-7 A-7 BbMaj7 C7 D-7 E-7b5 FMaj7

E Phrygian

Ab Lydian

D Dorian

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B Mixolydian

F# Aeolian

Bb Dorian

D Phrygian

E Mixolydian

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Chapter 11
1. Write the traditional chord that is equivalent to each of the following
Hybrid chords:

C/F Db/A

D/Eb Bb/Eb

Bb/E Ab/B

Bb/A Bb/D

D/Ab E/F

A/D C/Bb

Ab/D F#/A

G/A G/F

2. For each of the following traditional chords, write an equivalent Hybrid

chord:

C7sus4 Bdim7

Ab13b9 BbMaj7

EbMaj7#11 A9sus4

DbMaj7 BbMaj7#11

C7b9 F7b9b5

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