A chord on the piano consists of any combination of three or more notes, and there’s an easy formula you can follow to form major chords starting on any note at the piano.
C is the root note and G the third interval; these combined to make a C major chord.
Root Note
Root Note of a Chord The root note of any chord is its lowest note; for instance, C Major chord has C as its root note, E as its third interval note and G as its fifth interval note – often represented on piano sheets by a triangle symbol called Cmaj7 or C7 or even Cmaj.7.
Chords may contain numbers written after them to represent how many tones have been added above its root note, known as intervals and measured against its scale it begins on.
D major adds a D to its root note, with F and A added to each interval – perfect for building songs with different moods – for instance The Beatles’ song “Let It Be” serves as an excellent example of using major chords to build songs with differing moods; beginning with C major for strong positive emotionality before shifting into G major for an emotionally charged melody that ends on an upbeat note and adds resolution at its conclusion.
Third Interval
The major third is one of the fundamental intervals of music. Classified as an imperfect consonance along with unison, octave, and perfect fifth intervals, it plays an essential role in melodies across a wide variety of scales and music genres.
An important thing to keep in mind about intervals is that their measurement depends on how many staff positions, or note letter names, are involved; not just on how far apart their two endpoints are. For instance, C-D represents a second; by changing to B and E note letters instead, however, we achieve a diminished fourth (due to differences in interval numbers).
Intervals may also be altered by altering their pitches without altering their interval numbers. For instance, doubling major third (C-E) to create a perfect twelfth interval; and tripling diminished fourths can create perfect nineteenth intervals – known as an “enharmonic change”.
Fifth Interval
The fifth interval consists of six half steps (or three whole tones) from the keynote, and it does not fall under either major or minor classification; rather it is perfect. When adding or subtracting one half-step from such an interval it becomes either augmented or diminished respectively.
Most piano chords you build will use perfect, major and minor intervals; however, at times augmented and diminished chords may also need to be constructed.
Interval concepts will make learning chords much simpler and will enable you to become a better musician. Visualize patterns on the keyboard using interval concepts while imbuing positions and distances between fingers with ease. Furthermore, understanding intervals will assist with navigation of fifths keys relative minor keys while providing insight into chord tones and key signature relationships.
Major Triad
Triads form the cornerstone of tonal music. Their composition can vary between major, minor, diminished and augmented depending on the interval quality between their first note and third and their second note and fifth notes.
Learning different qualities through ear training can be achieved. Simply listen to various chords and see if you can detect the differences; alternatively take a chart of chords and attempt to figure out which are which.
A basic major triad is comprised of the root, major third and perfect fifth. If desired, to add more flavor, tones can also be added above this basic chord; these numbers indicate how many tones should be added above the root; such toning can make chords sound fuller and more melodic; the seventh tone being most commonly added but additional ones could include sixth or ninth tones as well.