The piano is known as the “king of instruments,” not just for its massive range, but for its ability to play many notes at once. However, melodies (playing one note at a time) offer the “voice” of a song, piano chords offer its heart and soul.
1. What is a Piano Chord?
A chord is three or more notes played simultaneously. While the player can play two notes together (called an interval), a chord must have at least three to set up a distinct “harmonic color.”
The most fundamental type of chord is the triad. A triad has three notes built in intervals of thirds. Every chord consists of a Root, which is the note the chord is named after (e.g., in a C Major chord, “C” is the root).
2. Anatomy of Major and Minor Chords
To understand how chords are made, you can use a simple counting system based on half-steps (the very next key, whether black or white).
Major Chord (“Happy” Sound)
Major chords sound bright, cheerful, and stable. To build a Major triad, the players can use the formula: Root + 4 half-steps + 3 half-steps.
- For Example: C Major (C – E – G)
- Begin on C.
- Count up 4 half-steps to find E.
- Count up 3 more half-steps to find G.
Minor Chord (“Sad” Sound)
Minor chords sound moody, serious, or melancholy. You can use the formula, i.e., the reverse of the major chord: Root + 3 half-steps + 4 half-steps.
- Example: C Minor (C – Eb – G)
- Begin on C.
- Count up 3 half-steps to find Eb (the black key).
- Count up 4 more half-steps to find G.
3. Beyond the Basics: Diminished & Augmented
Once you can become the master of Major and Minor, you can find “tension” chords, adding drama to music.
- Diminished Chords: You can make them with two sets of 3 half-steps (Root + 3 + 3). These sound tense and “unresolved.”
- Augmented Chords: You can make them with two sets of 4 half-steps (Root + 4 + 4). These sound dreamy, spacey, or mysterious.
4. Chord Inversions: Rearranging the Furniture
An inversion is simply playing the same notes of a chord and is in a different order.
Look at C Major (C – E – G):
- Root Position: C – E – G (C is at the bottom)
- First Inversion: E – G – C (E is at the bottom)
- Second Inversion: G – C – E (G is at the bottom)
5. “Golden” Chords: 1-4-5-6 Progression
If you are looking to play 90% of modern pop, rock, and country songs, you must learn four chords within a specific key. In the key of C Major, these are:
- I (1) – C Major
- IV (4) – F Major
- V (5) – G Major
- vi (6) – A Minor
6. 7th Chords: Adding Color and Sophistication
If you are listening to Jazz, Blues, or R&B, the players will notice the chords sound “thicker” and more complex due to 7th Chords. These add a fourth note to the triad.
- Major 7th (Cmaj7): C – E – G – B. Sounds lush, romantic, and “jazzy.”
- Dominant 7th (C7): C – E – G – Bb. Sounds bluesy and wants to “resolve” to another chord.
- Minor 7th (Cm7): C – Eb – G – Bb. Sounds mellow and sophisticated.