Major chords are typically the first type of chords beginners learn, as they create an upbeat atmosphere versus minor chords which tend to create melancholic feelings.
Root notes, major thirds and perfect fifths (1 – 3 – 5) form an arpeggiated system in any key. In C for instance, E is used for major thirds and G for fifths.
Root note
Root notes are the lowest sounding chord tones; for instance, a C major chord features its root note as C, while its third and fifth tones (third and fifth, respectively) always sound four and seven half steps higher than this tone; this characteristic makes major chords distinctive.
Major and minor chords are two of the more commonly learned piano chord types, though there are others you should become acquainted with as well – such as augmented, diminished and chromatic chords.
Triad chords, composed of three notes, form the basis of many songs and provide them with happiness and positivity, but you can also use them to add tension or sadness – these emotions can make or break a song’s emotional impact on listeners. Understanding piano chords starts by knowing their root notes – these serve as both the base note for any chord and first note in a scale.
Third note
When learning major chords, it is essential that you understand intervals. Intervals refer to the space between two notes – either white or black keys – such as when two notes in a major chord are four half steps from their roots – this is known as a minor third and three half steps is known as major third.
Major chords always feature three notes that are one step up from their roots; for instance, if C is at its roots, its third note would always be E – this principle holds across all major chords.
To play a major chord, simply place your thumb on the root note and use your other fingers to press each note of the chord. Letters above the staff will indicate which note to press. For advanced chords, counting up four half steps from the root will give F-sharp, three more steps gets A.
Fifth note
A major chord becomes complete upon adding its fifth note, typically indicated with an indication number on a chord symbol or sometimes even included as part of its root; its interval corresponds with that of that key scale.
C to E spans four semitones while C to G spans only three. By adding the fifth note to these chords, full sound can be created along with powerful major piano chords.
Enhance your basic major chord with more dynamic piano music using sus2 and sus4 chords, which consist of replacing either its third note with either its second or fourth note.
These piano chords can be more difficult to learn than their major counterparts as their structure differs significantly from that of major chords. You’ll often see them indicated with a capital letter followed by lowercase “m.” You’ll likely come across these in any key on your piano keyboard.
Inversions
Chord inversions are an excellent way to add variety and complexity to chord progressions, as well as make sight reading simpler by eliminating long finger leaps between notes. Overall, chord inversions will help you become a more efficient pianist while strengthening your overall technique.
To play a chord inversion, simply switch up the order of its notes within the chord. For instance, a C Major triad in its first inversion (C-E-G) can be performed as C-E-G-C with its flat third moved up towards the top and its fifth towards its base.
Keep in mind that intervals (the distance between separate notes) remain unchanged throughout these inversions, meaning you will typically still use fingers 1-2-5 and 5-3-2-1 on both hands in your right hand and 5-3-2-1 in your left for most keys in both major and minor triads.