Chord progressions are really easy to play. And that’s because they’re based on the old, familiar scale patterns we already know. Using the C major scale, for example, we can come up with a chord progression that sounds awesome. We simply build one chord on the tonic (1) note … and another on the major-second (2) note … and another on the major-third (3) note … and so on. It’s all pretty straightforward.

Just like before, we still label each note with its own letter name. And we show the relationship between notes using numbers. But now, to show the relationship between the different chords in a progression, we simply turn those number labels intoRoman numerals … like this:

There’s nothing tricky about these Roman numerals. They still count out the same numbers of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. But they also help us keep track of whether we’re talking about individual notes or entire chords. You see, we use the “regular” numbers to describe the notes in a scale or chord … while we use the Roman numerals to show the relationship between the chords in a progression. Get it?

Roman numerals even give us a quick way of showing whether a chord is major or minor. For example, can you see how the numerals for chords I, IV, and V are upper-case? That’s because those triads are major … while the lower-case numerals show us which chords are minor. (The vii chord—with its “o” symbol—is simply diminished.)

Sometimes, you’ll also hear people calling chords by their general names … like the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), dominant (V), etc. But these are just the same convenient labels we’ve already seen before. Sure, it might seem a little like déjà vu, but that’s what makes music so easy.

To get a feel for how these different labels work, try playing the same major scale progression in each key. Starting on the tonic chord (I), work your way through each triad. At this point, let’s focus on using only the left hand for each chord, shall we? And remember, it’s okay to glance down at the keyboard every once in a while … just to make sure our hands are moving into the correct position. After you’ve had a little practice, try showing off to your friends. Because they’re going to be jealous of your new skills.