If you have been wanting to get started on your piano journey, this lesson is for you! In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to play major and minor chords on piano, using a simple four step formula.
Learning to play chords on piano is the perfect way to get started playing piano and is an amazing way to learn to accompany yourself on piano, develop your ear training and learn music theory.
Let's get started!
Piano Chords Step #1: Learn the first five notes of the major scale
In order to get comfortable playing major and minor chords on piano, it is helpful to practice playing five note major scales.
The first five notes of the major scale have the same sequence of whole steps and half steps:
WHOLE STEP - WHOLE STEP - HALF STEP - WHOLE STEP
This sequence of intervals is the same no matter what key you're in, which makes it much easier to learn chords and scales in different keys.
Starting from the first note of the scale, you play up...
WHOLE STEP - WHOLE STEP - HALF STEP - WHOLE STEP
Practice playing this pattern in different keys, saying the intervallic sequence as you play it. See if your hand can remember the shape of each
Once you have figured out this pattern, you will have no problem playing any major or minor triad in any key.
Want to practice in all twelve keys? Get your free Circle of 5ths printable here.
Piano Chords Step #2: Make major chords from the 5 note major scale!
It's time for some good news! Now that you have played the first five notes of the major scale in all 12 keys, you can also play your major triads in all keys.
HOMEWORK:
Practice playing the 5 notes of the major scale and then push down the 1-3-5: THAT'S a major triad!
Not that hard, right? Now it's time to practice your major chords in all 12 keys.
Make sure to use the Circle of 5ths free download to help you stay organized while you master your major chords!
Piano Chords Step #3: Play Major to Minor Chords
Now that you can play your major chords, you only have to make one small adjustment to play your minor chords too!
Major and minor triads share two out of three notes. The only difference? The 3rd (middle note) of a minor chord is a half step lower than the 3 (middle note) of a major chord.
In order to transform a major chord into a minor one, you only need to lower the 3rd by a half step.
As you can see below, the difference between C major and C minor is the 3rd: C major has an E, C minor has an Eb.
Notice how this looks in music notation below.
HOMEWORK:
Practice playing the major to minor chords in all 12 keys, using the circle of 5ths.
Piano Chords Step #4: Play your minor chords in all 12 keys
Now that you can play your major and minor chords together, it's time to isolate just the minor chords and make sure you can play them in all 12 keys on the piano.
HOMEWORK:
Practice playing the minor chords in all 12 keys, using the circle of 5ths.
Playing major and minor chords on piano isn't that hard after all!!
I hope this quick and in-depth tutorial helped you to see that learning to play major and minor chords on piano isn't nearly as hard as you thought!
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