1 Trick to Learn All Major and Minor Chords on Piano

1 Trick to Learn All Major and Minor Chords on Piano

Playing the piano can be a rewarding experience, and learning chords is fundamental. Here's a one-trick formula to help you master all the major and minor chords on the piano.

Major Chord Formula: 4-3

Let's look at an example using the C major chord.

1. Start with the root note: C.
2. Apply the formula:
   • 4: From the root note (C), count up four keys to get the second note. Count both white and black keys: C-(1)C#-(2)D-(3)D#-(4)E. Your second note is E.
   • 3: From the second note (E), count up three keys for the third note: E-(1)F-(2)F#-(3)G. Your third note is G.

Thus, the C major chord (C-E-G) is formed.

You can apply this 4-3 formula to any root note to get the corresponding major chord.

Minor Chord Formula: 3-4

Now, let's create a C minor chord using the formula 3-4:

1. Start with the root note: C.
2. Apply the formula:
   • 3: From the root note (C), count up three keys: C-(1)C#-(2)D-(3)D#. Your second note is D#.
   • 4: From the second note (D#), count up four keys: D#-(1)E-(2)F-(3)F#-(4)G. Your third note is G.

Thus, the C minor chord (C-D#-G) is formed.

Again, you can apply this 3-4 formula to any root note to get the corresponding minor chord.

Keywords

• Major chord
• Minor chord
• Piano
• C major
• C minor
• Chord formula
• Music theory

FAQ

Q1: What is the major chord formula on the piano? A1: The major chord formula is 4-3. Starting from the root note, count up four keys to find the second note, and then count up three more keys to find the third note.

Q2: How do I use the formula to find a minor chord? A2: The minor chord formula is 3-4. Starting from the root note, count up three keys to find the second note, and then count up four more keys to find the third note.

Q3: Does this formula work for all keys on the piano? A3: Yes, the formulas 4-3 for major chords and 3-4 for minor chords work for all root notes on the piano.

Q4: Can I apply this trick to other instruments? A4: While this trick is specifically designed for piano, understanding the intervals (4-3 for majors and 3-4 for minors) can help in learning chords on other instruments as well.