Major chords are typically the first type of chord that most people learn. Their upbeat sounding nature typically attracts them, consisting of three notes – root, major third and perfect fifth (1-3-5).
Major chords may be altered either to enhance or diminish them; their name reflects this relationship as an interval from root to fifth (for instance: C – E – G, 7+5+1). Chords can also be inverted.
A Major
An understanding of major chords is one of the core skills any beginner should acquire. They serve as the backbone for most songs.
A thirteen flat ninth chord combines the root, third, fifth, and seventh notes from any scale to form what is commonly referred to as a minor major seventh chord (m7b5) – this chord type would typically appear as C m7b5 when written with its symbol (CM7b5) as part of major piano chords.
B Major
B Major is a major scale with five sharps, and its chords reveal strong emotions such as anger, rage and jealousy.
As with major scales, minor key chords based on notes 1, 4 and 5 make up what are known as primary or i iv V chords; relative minor chords follow this same pattern with intervals renumbered to reflect its minor root.
C Major
C Major is an ideal key for beginners looking to start learning chords, as its triads only require white notes, making it simpler for you to visualize where patterns lie on the keyboard.
Additionally, keys that are one sharp or one flat away don’t include any black notes – providing an ideal starting point to develop chords.
D Major
D major has two sharps as its key signature and seven diatonic chords associated with its major scale.
Each triad chord can be extended by adding an additional note, creating an extended version and helping to shorten distance between chords. These additional notes are known as chord inversions; there are three varieties per triad with their own distinct qualities of diminished, minor, perfect and augmented chord qualities.
E Major
E Major is home to many chord options; however, as in any major key there are only a few essential triad chords.
Building the remainder can be accomplished using a straightforward formula that applies across all major scales; note names may differ but scale degrees remain constant.
F Major
F major is an ideal chord to start learning as it’s accessible for both hands, providing ample practice switching between different chords at one fret.
F Major’s triad chords consist of F Major, G Minor, A Minor and Bb Major; adding a seventh will extend them into extended chords.
G Major
G major chord progressions are frequently used to convey sadness or melancholy in music. Additionally, this chord can be found frequently throughout classical works like Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik.
This chord is a subtonic triad chord (also referred to as the “vii chord”) and marks its seventh position within the scale. With only four notes in total, it’s easy to remember and easy on memory!
H Major
Major chords are one of the first kinds of chords most musicians learn and are generally associated with creating an upbeat, festive environment. Consisting of three parts: root, major third and perfect fifth (1 – 3 – 5), major chords can produce an exuberant musical experience that creates joyous environments.
Every key signature that shifts right gains one additional sharp, so C Major contains no sharps while G Major contains one (F#) and D Major has two flats (Bb and Eb), all enharmonic to one another.
I Major
No matter the key, all major chords contain three basic keyboard notes: root note and intervals of a third and perfect fifth. These chords form the backbone of every major song like The Beatles’ “Comfortably Numb.”
By applying the major scale formula, chords can be easily constructed: begin on one note and skip two keys, followed by another two notes between them until completing your chord progression.
J Major
Major chords consist of three basic keyboard notes – the root, major third and perfect fifth – which form one chord. They are widely used in rock and pop music.
Major triads differ from minor and diminished chords in that they must adhere to their key’s scale notes (for instance C Major).
There is a secret formula that can enable you to build major chords from any note on the piano!