how do roman numerals work in music theory?

Question

well i know but what im stuck on is what key signature to use... like if i am dealing with G, would i use one sharp for all scale degrees???

like if i am putting in diatonic triads (for homework) on the staff... i know to put triads, but how do i know is something is sharp or flat? do i use the key signature of I for all scale degrees, or what???

Answer 1

I am confused by your question. You use roman numerals to represent the chords and progression in the key. I don't think you would use F# for all of the scale degrees, because F# isn't used in all of the scales. If you are staying within the key of G major, F# should remain. I am sort of unclear as to what you mean, but I hope that helped.

Answer 2

No honey, you sound really confused. Each key has a different key signature. The scale of G Major has only one accidental, which is F#. So, at the left hand side of the staff, you put a sharp on the place where the note F would go, so that every time you see a written F, you play F# so it goes with G Major.

The roman numerals signify chords based on different scale degrees. A I chord in G Major would be spelled G, B, D. A ii chord would be A, C, E (an a minor chord). iii is B, D, F#. IV is C, E, G (a C Major chord). V is D, F#, A (a D Major chord, or you can add a C for a D Major 7). vi is E, G, B (e minor). vii is F#, A, C (diminished chord).

Hope that answers your question- if you are still confused go pick up a beginning music theory book, it should explain everything.

EDIT-

OH i see what you're saying. Usually, for those, exercises, there is no key signature, so that you have to think about exactly which notes go into the chord. Yeah, go ahead and put the sharp next to the F whenever it occurs. Make sense?

Answer 3

Since the key of G is confusing you, let's look at the roman numerals in that key:

key of G major:
I : G B D (major chord)
ii: A C E (minor chord)
iii: B D F# (minor)
IV: C E G (major)
V: D F# A (major)
vi: E G B (minor)
viio: F# A C (diminished chord)

These are all the triads standard in the key of G major. Notice every F is sharp. Now if we use altered chords, this may change. For example a "v" chord (notice it is a lower case "v") contains the notes D, F natural, and A. The lower case "v" describes a minor chord, but a major key dictates use of a major "V".

I hope this helps to clear up some confusion.

Answer 4

if you are writing triads for a certain key, you will write accidentals next to the altered note. If there are no accidentals then anyone would assume they are natural.

Still not entirely sure what you're asking...