Notable chords by their position in the scale (roman numeral notation)
1965 was the Beatles' biggest year for new scale-degree colourings since they began recording: 21 debuts that hadn't appeared on a Beatles record before – including vi7, i7, and iv7.
| # | Value | Songs | % of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Major tonic – notable in minor key context | 188 | 11.2% |
| 2 | IV Chord on the IV scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 166 | 9.9% |
| 3 | V7 Dominant seventh – standard blues/jazz resolution chord | 139 | 8.3% |
| 4 | V Major dominant – expected in major, notable in minor (harmonic minor) | 125 | 7.5% |
| 5 | vi Minor sixth degree – submediant chord | 97 | 5.8% |
| 6 | I7 Chord on the I7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 72 | 4.3% |
| 7 | ii Minor second degree – supertonic chord | 70 | 4.2% |
| 8 | ♭VII Flat-seven chord – the most iconic Beatles chord, borrowed from Mixolydian mode | 66 | 3.9% |
| 9 | iii Minor third degree – mediant chord | 53 | 3.2% |
| 10 | II7 Major second degree seventh – secondary dominant of V | 51 | 3.0% |
| 11 | IV7 Major IV with added seventh – blues-derived subdominant coloring | 46 | 2.7% |
| 12 | iv Minor four chord – borrowed from the parallel minor key | 42 | 2.5% |
| 13 | ♭III Flat-three chord – borrowed from parallel minor | 41 | 2.4% |
| 14 | i Minor tonic – parallel minor tonic used in modal mixture | 40 | 2.4% |
| 15 | ii7 Minor seventh on the second degree – jazz-influenced color chord | 40 | 2.4% |
| 16 | ♭VI Flat-six chord – borrowed from parallel minor, dramatic shift | 37 | 2.2% |
| 17 | II Chord on the II scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 30 | 1.8% |
| 18 | VI7 Chord on the VI7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 29 | 1.7% |
| 19 | III7 Chord on the III7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 22 | 1.3% |
| 20 | vi7 Chord on the vi7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 18 | 1.1% |
| 21 | VI Major sixth degree – submediant in minor key | 16 | 1.0% |
| 22 | ♭VII7 Chord on the ♭VII7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 13 | 0.8% |
| 23 | ♭VI7 Chord on the ♭VI7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 12 | 0.7% |
| 24 | i7 Minor tonic seventh – i with added minor seventh | 12 | 0.7% |
| 25 | I6 Chord on the I6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 12 | 0.7% |
| 26 | v Minor fifth degree – common in Aeolian/natural minor | 11 | 0.7% |
| 27 | III Major third degree – mediant in minor key | 11 | 0.7% |
| 28 | ♭VImaj7 Chord on the ♭VImaj7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 10 | 0.6% |
| 29 | IVmaj7 Chord on the IVmaj7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 8 | 0.5% |
| 30 | iii7 Chord on the iii7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 8 | 0.5% |
| 31 | iv7 Minor subdominant seventh | 7 | 0.4% |
| 32 | VII7 Chord on the VII7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 6 | 0.4% |
| 33 | v7 Chord on the v7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 6 | 0.4% |
| 34 | ♭II Neapolitan chord – dramatic chromatic approach to the dominant | 6 | 0.4% |
| 35 | i6 Chord on the i6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 6 | 0.4% |
| 36 | V+ Chord on the V+ scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 6 | 0.4% |
| 37 | iv6 Chord on the iv6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 6 | 0.4% |
| 38 | V7sus4 Chord on the V7sus4 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 5 | 0.3% |
| 39 | II9 Chord on the II9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 5 | 0.3% |
| 40 | VII Major seventh degree – subtonic in minor key | 5 | 0.3% |
| 41 | ♭VIIadd9 Chord on the ♭VIIadd9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 4 | 0.2% |
| 42 | IV6 Chord on the IV6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 4 | 0.2% |
| 43 | I9 Chord on the I9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 4 | 0.2% |
| 44 | IV9 Chord on the IV9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 4 | 0.2% |
| 45 | ♭III7 Chord on the ♭III7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 4 | 0.2% |
| 46 | Imaj7 Major seventh on the tonic – adds lush color to the home chord | 3 | 0.2% |
| 47 | ♭iiidim Chord on the ♭iiidim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 3 | 0.2% |
| 48 | Iadd9 Chord on the Iadd9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 3 | 0.2% |
| 49 | ♯IV Chord on the ♯IV scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 3 | 0.2% |
| 50 | ♯ivdim Chord on the ♯ivdim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 3 | 0.2% |
| 51 | V9 Chord on the V9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 3 | 0.2% |
| 52 | ♭III6 Chord on the ♭III6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 3 | 0.2% |
| 53 | IVadd9 Chord on the IVadd9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 3 | 0.2% |
| 54 | viø Chord on the viø scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 3 | 0.2% |
| 55 | V6 Chord on the V6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 3 | 0.2% |
| 56 | vii7 Chord on the vii7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 57 | vi6 Chord on the vi6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 58 | VII+ Chord on the VII+ scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 59 | vim(M7) Chord on the vim(M7) scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 60 | ♭vii7 Chord on the ♭vii7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 61 | ♭vidim Chord on the ♭vidim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 62 | vii Chord on the vii scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 63 | I+ Chord on the I+ scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 64 | iiø Chord on the iiø scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 65 | v9 Chord on the v9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 66 | vidim7 Chord on the vidim7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 67 | ♭II7 Chord on the ♭II7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 68 | iidim Chord on the iidim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 69 | ♭VI+ Chord on the ♭VI+ scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 70 | ♭VII6 Chord on the ♭VII6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 71 | Vmaj7 Chord on the Vmaj7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 72 | ♭iii Chord on the ♭iii scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 73 | ♯ivdim7 Chord on the ♯ivdim7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 74 | im(M7) Chord on the im(M7) scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 75 | iiidim Chord on the iiidim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 2 | 0.1% |
| 76 | II7sus4 Chord on the II7sus4 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 77 | ♭viidim Chord on the ♭viidim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 78 | IIIadd9 Chord on the IIIadd9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 79 | ♭VI13 Chord on the ♭VI13 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 80 | I7sus4 Chord on the I7sus4 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 81 | ii6 Chord on the ii6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 82 | iv9 Chord on the iv9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 83 | II7♯9 Chord on the II7♯9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 84 | ♭IIImaj7 Chord on the ♭IIImaj7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 85 | ♭ii Chord on the ♭ii scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 86 | ♭II7sus4 Chord on the ♭II7sus4 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 87 | II+ Chord on the II+ scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 88 | Vadd4 Chord on the Vadd4 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 89 | idim7 Chord on the idim7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 90 | IV7♯9 Chord on the IV7♯9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 91 | V13 Chord on the V13 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 92 | ♭iidim7 Chord on the ♭iidim7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 93 | ♭VI9 Chord on the ♭VI9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 94 | ♯IV7 Chord on the ♯IV7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 95 | ♭ii7 Chord on the ♭ii7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 96 | viidim Chord on the viidim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 97 | ♭vi7 Chord on the ♭vi7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 98 | vm(M7) Chord on the vm(M7) scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 99 | ♭III+ Chord on the ♭III+ scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 100 | ♭VIImaj7 Chord on the ♭VIImaj7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 101 | ♭viidim7 Chord on the ♭viidim7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 102 | ♭VII6/9 Chord on the ♭VII6/9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 103 | ii9 Chord on the ii9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 104 | ivdim Chord on the ivdim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 105 | vdim Chord on the vdim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 106 | V7♭9 Chord on the V7♭9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 107 | II7♭9 Chord on the II7♭9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 108 | III7sus4 Chord on the III7sus4 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 109 | III+ Chord on the III+ scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 110 | viidim7 Chord on the viidim7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 111 | iim(M7) Chord on the iim(M7) scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 112 | ♭IImaj7 Chord on the ♭IImaj7 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 113 | iii6 Chord on the iii6 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 114 | ♭iidim Chord on the ♭iidim scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 115 | viiø Chord on the viiø scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 116 | I7♯9 Chord on the I7♯9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
| 117 | V7♯9 Chord on the V7♯9 scale degree – Roman-numeral shorthand for its position in the home key. | 1 | 0.1% |
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