The opening measures of Mozart's Sonata K. 283 in G major are an excellent example of how the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V) chords can be used. In the key of G major, G is the tonic, C is the subdominant, and D is the dominant.

In the first few measures, Mozart plays the chords as arpeggios, playing the notes consecutively. He also uses chord inversions. In an inverted chord, the lowest note is not the root. For example, in measure two, Mozart uses a D dominant seventh chord (D-F♯-A-C), but he uses A as the lowest note (see Inversions).

In the next image:

• The chords are written in root position on the top staff, with the chord symbol written above (see Triads Chord Symbols in Jazz, 7th-chord Symbols in Jazz).
• Roman numerals below the lowest staff identify the degrees. Chord inversions are shown with small numbers (see Baroque Chord Symbols and Figured Bass 7th-Chord Symbols).
• The red notes are non-harmonic tones. These notes are not part of the chords