interpretation / Symbolic

Functional harmony

A progression described by Roman numerals relative to a key. The key turns each function into a concrete chord; changing keys reinterprets the same progression.

Try it

Resolve a progression in a key

Roman numerals describe functions relative to a selected key. Change the key to reinterpret the same numerals, or transpose the resulting MIDI notes by a fixed number of semitones. These are different operations.

KeyRoman progression

Transpose0 st

Selected chord: Cmaj7 · octave-free set

Key

C major

Scale notes

C-D-E-F-G-A-B

Pitch classes

0-4-7-11

Resolved chord symbols (before shift)

Cmaj7 - G7 - Am7 - Fmaj7

C is the tonic; major supplies the scale. Roman numerals resolve to diatonic seventh chords where available. The semitone control moves the resolved notes after that interpretation.

Written forms

Ways to write this concept

Each notation describes the same underlying object. Load a playable example to hear one MIDI realization in the Code Sequencer.

roman

Roman-numeral / scale-degree function sequence (interpreted within a key)

ii-V-I
I-V-vi-IV

Choose Load beside a convertible example to open its live player. Some catalog formats describe analysis or a display label and have no note realization yet.

Point Set SequenceAn ordered sequence of point-sets that may contain duplicates Note Set SequenceAn ordered sequence of note sets (chords) that may contain duplicates KeyA tonic pitch class and mode that give scale degrees and Roman chord functions their context.

Resolve a progression in a key

Ways to write this concept

roman

Concept connections