Major chords are an essential element in piano music. Their upbeat nature brings joy and euphoria to listeners.
These easy piano chords for beginners to learn are quick and straightforward; all it takes to follow along is following the letter name and chord type.
The first number in a chord indicates which note should serve as its root, while the second reveals how you should build it.
Root Position
First thing to keep in mind when discussing major chords is that their roots are always the lowest notes in the chord, as indicated by looking at chord symbols on a page – the capital letter indicates which note serves as the chord root – such as C, D, E or G – while two steps up from there lies its third note, known as a major third.
The top note in a chord is three half-steps above its second note, or a minor third.
The fifth note, or whole step higher than the fourth, is known as the fifth. You can count up from the root to find this interval or just memorize them.
First Inversion
An inverted major chord occurs when its root note has been moved from its original location in order to the top of the chord, prompting all other notes within it to move up by half steps (interval) in order to produce a different sound.
Inversion symbols for this kind of chord include a triangle with a line coming out of its bottom corner and sometimes written using figured bass, which shows how intervals work by adding numbers to each note in the chord.
Popular music notation employs the slash chord notation system, which consists of writing the name of each chord with an upward slash and its bass note following it.
Second Inversion
While any chord can be played in its root position, some sound better when inverted from low to high – an effective method for adding depth and nuance to piano playing. Inversion is known as inversion and it provides another dimension of depth in your piano playing experience.
For instance, to play a major triad in its second inversion you would move the fifth note up towards the bass note while keeping the third down at its original root note. This gives it more rounded sound while making it easier to finger.
Once you understand how inversions work, they can help you form chords quickly without making dramatic leaps with your hand.
Third Inversion
Inverting major chords a third time adds depth and resonance to their soundscape, providing further depth of soundscape.
Switching up an octave also serves to decrease finger movements when playing chords; moving the lower note up allows you to minimize finger leaps across the keyboard and reduce movement required.
Add tones above the root by adding numbers to your chord symbol, with each number representing intervals from that root (for instance a 7th above C would be G). This technique is known as “voicing,” and involves selecting specific notes and octaves to play them in.
Fourth Inversion
Root of a chord refers to its lowest note, while chords can be built using various techniques and still retain their name as long as all notes are present and in their correct places. Rearranging notes above the bass or duplicating them are known as voicings of this kind of construction process.
Practice different inversions of a chord will help you understand music theory and the inner workings of chords, as well as gain some knowledge on intervals which are essential in piano playing. But keep in mind these are not rules but simply guidelines – you should add inversion practice into your daily practice routine for best results.
Fifth Inversion
A fifth inversion of a major chord features its root at the bottom, third and fifth at its center and fifth on top; thus the lower interval represents a minor third and major fourth respectively.
To form this chord, place your thumb on G, your middle finger on B, and pinky finger on D simultaneously and press these three notes simultaneously – to form a major chord.
Add extra tones to your piano chords by going beyond roots, thirds and fifths. These additional tones are usually indicated with numbers after the chord symbol.