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Finding a Major Chord on the Piano

This is not only a tutorial on how to find a Major Chord on the Piano, but the fastest way to learn your 12 Major Chords.

First of all…

                    Why are there 12 Major Chords?

It’s really Simple…since you have 12 different notes on the keyboard, each one of those notes has a corresponding chord. 

learn the 12 Major Chords

There’s a C chord, C sharp chord, D Chord…you get the idea.  The point to remember, is that all of these Major chords sound relatively the same.

What does that mean exactly?

It just simply means that even though the notes are different, they have the same structure and for that reason they sound the same except for the pitch of the actual notes.

Here’s an example…

sturcture of a c major chord on the piano

 The root is the bottom note of the chord and the 3rd and 5th are just intervals.  Intervals are simply the distance between the notes.

the structure of a d major chord on the piano keyboard with the first third and fifth intervals illustration

Here’s another way to look at it.

You can also look at the notes between the notes .  You have 3 notes between the root and the third and 2 notes between the third and fifth.

major chord notes between the notes

This simple method method of understanding how Major chords are constructed will help you as a beginner.

Now on to the fastest way to learn the 12 Major Chords.

We’ve covered the similarities in the structure of the chords, now lets look at the similarities in appearance.

Did you know that the 12 Major chords can be put into four groups of three to make them easier and faster to learn?

The Marshmallow Chords:   Two white keys on the outside and one white key on the inside.

C F and G major piano chordsThe Blackberry Jam Sandwich Chords:   Two white keys on the outside and one black key on the inside.

D E A major chords on the piano keyboard

The Oreo Cookie Chords:   Two black keys on the outside and one white key on the inside.

D fllat E flat A flat major chords on the piano keyboard

The Chocolate & Vanilla Chunk Chords.  All mixed up.

G flat B flat and B major chords on the piano keyboard

Now that you’ve finished the tutorial.  Download the instructional guide color notes online magazinefor free and also get a free subscription to Color Notes.  The online magazine with tons of tips, articles, videos and more.  Click Here.

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Greg Lee

Hi, my name is Greg Lee. I'm the creator of the Color Score Professional/Visual Chord Learning System. I love to share ideas and concepts about piano and keyboard playing in all styles of music. I believe the key to learning is having fun and making complicated things simple with visual tools and illustrations.

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