Article Surfing Archive

If you are a beginning piano student, one of the first things you learn are the major scales. If you know your major scales, then you can easily play major piano chords.

A major piano chord is formed by playing the first, third, and fifth notes of the scale. For example, a D major scale is D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D. D, F#, and A are the first third, and fifth notes of the D major scale, so a D major chord consists of D, F#, and A. An F major scale consists of F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F. Since F, A, and C are the first, third, and fifth notes, they make up an F major chord.

For those who don't know the major scales, there is a simple formula that you can use: root + 4 half steps + 3 half steps. A half step is the distance from one note to the very next one. C to C#, E to F, and A to Bb are all examples of half steps. So using this formula, let's find an Eb major chord. The first note will be an Eb. Go from Eb to E, F, Gb, and finally G. That's four half steps so G is the second note in the Eb major chord. Now start on G and go up three half steps: Ab, A, Bb. Now we know that Bb is the final note, so an Eb major chord consists of Eb, G, Bb.

Once you know how to play a major chord, finding the minor chord is an easy task. The only difference between the two is the third note; a minor chord has a flatted third note. By now, you have learned that a D major chord consists of D, F#, A. Lower the F# to an F natural and you have a D minor chord.

The minor chord can also be found using a simple formula. The formula is root + 3 half steps + 4 half steps. To find the G minor chord, start on G and go up three half steps: Ab, A, Bb. Therefore, Bb is the second note in the G minor chord. From there you go up four more half steps: B, C, Db, D. Now you know that G, Bb, and D are the notes that make up the G minor chord.

Now you know how easy it is to play major and minor piano chords. If you haven't already learned your major and minor scales, now is the time to start. They will make your progress as a piano player much easier.