How to build a chord on the piano
- Find the root (the note that names the chord).
- For major, count 4 keys to the right (black keys count), then 3 more. For minor, 3 then 4.
- Play them together. Right hand fingers 1, 3 and 5; left hand 5, 3 and 1.
Major chords
C
C · E · G
D♭
D♭ · F · A♭
D
D · F♯ · A
E♭
E♭ · G · B♭
E
E · G♯ · B
F
F · A · C
F♯
F♯ · A♯ · C♯
G
G · B · D
A♭
A♭ · C · E♭
A
A · C♯ · E
B♭
B♭ · D · F
B
B · D♯ · F♯
Fingers: right 1-3-5 · left 5-3-1
Minor chords
Cm
C · E♭ · G
C♯m
C♯ · E · G♯
Dm
D · F · A
E♭m
E♭ · G♭ · B♭
Em
E · G · B
Fm
F · A♭ · C
F♯m
F♯ · A · C♯
Gm
G · B♭ · D
G♯m
G♯ · B · D♯
Am
A · C · E
B♭m
B♭ · D♭ · F
Bm
B · D · F♯
Fingers: right 1-3-5 · left 5-3-1
Inversions: the same chord in another order
You can play the same notes starting from another one: C E G (root position), E G C (1st inversion) and G C E (2nd inversion). Your hand moves less between chords: from C to F, play C F A and only two fingers move.
For sevenths, diminished and every other type, see the chord notes chart.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play a C chord on piano?
Play C, E and G together, three white keys skipping one each time. Right hand fingers 1, 3 and 5.
What is the difference between major and minor chords on piano?
The middle note moves down one key in minor. C major is C E G; C minor is C E♭ G.
Which piano chords should I learn first?
C, F, G and Am. They're all white keys and cover a huge number of songs.