Piano Chords for Beginners

What is a Chord?

A chord is two or more notes played at the same time. The most common chords are triads — three-note chords built by stacking intervals called thirds. Chords are the harmonic foundation of almost all music: they create mood, support melodies, and drive the emotional movement from one section to the next.

Building Triads — Stacking Thirds

A triad is built by taking a root note and stacking two thirds on top of it. Think in jobs: root (1), third (3), fifth (5). For a C major triad, that's C, E, and G. The distance from C to E is a major third (4 semitones). The distance from E to G is a minor third (3 semitones). Stack major-then-minor thirds and you always get a major chord.

Tip Think in jobs: root, 3rd, 5th. Every triad fills these three positions.

Major vs. Minor — The Mood Shift

The difference between a major triad and minor triad is a single semitone. A major triad stacks a major third then a minor third (4+3 semitones). A minor triad reverses the order — minor third then major third (3+4 semitones). Moving the middle note of a C major chord (E) down by one semitone to E♭ gives you C minor. Same outer notes, completely different mood.

Chord Inversions — Same Notes, Different Feel

A chord inversion happens when a note other than the root is the lowest note. A C major chord (C-E-G) in root position has C at the bottom. In first inversion, E is at the bottom (E-G-C). In second inversion, G is at the bottom (G-C-E). Same three notes, different voicing — inversions make chord progressions smoother by reducing the distance between successive chords.

Seventh Chords — Adding More Color

A seventh chord is a triad with one more major third or minor third stacked on top. A major seventh chord (Cmaj7) is C-E-G-B — richer and more colorful than a plain triad. A dominant seventh chord (C7) is C-E-G-B♭ — the tension-building chord that drives strongly toward resolution. Seventh chords are everywhere in jazz, blues, pop, and soul.

Tip A seventh chord is a triad plus one more third. Once you know triads, seventh chords are a natural next step.

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Chapter 7 · Chord Progressions & Harmony

Chord Progressions Explained

Music gets its emotional power from how chords move from one to the next. Progressions are the grammar of harmony.

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Chapter 4 · Scales

Piano Scales for Beginners

A scale is a set of notes in order. The major scale is the foundation of almost everything in Western music.

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Chapter 3 · Intervals

Music Intervals Explained

An interval is the distance between two notes. Every melody, every chord, every scale is built from intervals.

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