Degree I — Maj7 (Tonic)
Home — rest and resolution
Prove it — just do the practice exercise.
CMaj7 Shell Voicing
C (R)E (3)B (7)
The I degree (tonic) is the harmonic center:
• In C major: CMaj7
• Function: Stability, rest, resolution
• All tension resolves here
Roman numeral: I = major 7th chord on the 1st degree
When you "come home" in a jazz standard, you always land on the I.
• In C major: CMaj7
• Function: Stability, rest, resolution
• All tension resolves here
Roman numeral: I = major 7th chord on the 1st degree
When you "come home" in a jazz standard, you always land on the I.