Summary
| Feature | Toolbar | Icon | Default Keyboard shortcut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Numerals | Text |  |
Ctrl + Shift + K or ⌘ + Shift + K |
What is Roman Numeral Analysis?
Roman numeral analysis is a way to represent chords based on the key signature. The Roman numeral shows the degree of the key that serves as a root for the chord. For instance, if you use the key of C, the first Roman numeral I will be a C. Then II will be a D, the III an E and so on.
Here is an image of the complete C major scale, with notes, jazz and Roman numeral notation.
Getting started with Roman Numerals on Flat
To start inputting chords below your music notations, select the note where you want to start adding your chord, then open the “Text” toolbar and click on the Classic Chord icon; alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+K.
A dialog will appear at the selected location. From here you can input the Roman numeral.
Choice of degree
First you need to choose the degree that will be the root of the chord. You also have the possibility of selecting an alteration for the root.
If you’re working on a desktop, you can input the degree and the alteration directly in the provided text input, typing things like:
- IV
- iii
- II#
- iib
- N
Choice of quality
Now you can select the quality of the chord.
On a desktop, you can input the quality in the provided text input. You can type things like:
- Maj
- dim7
- Aug
- m
Choice of inversion
The next step is the choice of inversion for the chord.
On a desktop, you can input the inversion in the provided text input. You can add things like:
- 42
- 64
- 65
Choice of secondary dominant
If you need to input a secondary dominant, you can click on “Add /”. Then you will be able to select the degree to which the chord will be relative.
The input works the same way as for the choice of degree.
Neapolitan
Neapolitan chords are built from a major triad, whose root note is the lowered second degree of the scale.
In this example, we are in the key of C. Thus the root note of the major triad is a D flat.
You can input these chords by selecting the “N” in the Choice of Degree step.
Shortcuts
| Go to the next step | Space |
| Add a secondary dominant | / |
| Validate the edited Roman numeral | Enter |
| Remove the edited Roman numeral | Ctrl + Delete (on empty text input) |
| Go to the next Roman numeral | Ctrl + ⇢ |
| Go to the previous Roman numeral | Ctrl + ⇠ |
| Exit the dialog | Esc |
Future development
Our next goals for Roman numerals are Augmented 6th (It/Fr/Ger+6), key signature and pivot chords!
