1.

Diatonic Cycle
of 5ths
©2010 Mermikides

Imaj7

I
IVmaj7 V7
IV V

(augmented 4th/
dimished 5th)
Diatonic
Cycle of
ii7
viiø
viiº 5ths ii

iii vi

iii7 vi7
 2.Composing with
Diatonic harmony
©2010 Mermikides

Imaj7

I
IVmaj7 V7
IV V

(augmented 4th/
dimished 5th)
Diatonic
Cycle of
ii7
viiø
viiº 5ths ii

iii vi

iii7 vi7
They're are no compositional 'rules'
But here are some effective mechanisms to try
I can jump to any chord ('I' as in 'one' not me)
Any chord can jump to I (or IV or V)
All other motion as indicated (dashed is less common)
End on I
Chords can be in there triadic, 7th or other form (6th, 9th, 13th,
add9 etc.)
 3.Secondary
Dominant 7ths
©2010 Mermikides

C7

I7

I∆7
G7
C∆7
IV∆7 V7
F∆7 G7

Secondary
Bø Dominants Dm7
ii7
viiø V7/V
V7/iii D7
Em7 Am7
B7
iii7 vi7

V7/vi V7/ii

A7
E7
 4.Secondary
Dominant 7ths Paths
©2010 Mermikides

C7
Gm7
I7 v7

I∆7
G7
C∆7
IV∆7 V7
F∆7 G7

Secondary
Bø Dominants Dm7
ii7
viiø V7/V
V7/iii D7
Em7 Am7
B7
iii7 vi7

V7/vi V7/ii

A7
E7