{"id":3615,"date":"2017-01-31T16:40:04","date_gmt":"2017-01-31T21:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/?p=3615"},"modified":"2023-01-23T23:54:41","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T04:54:41","slug":"piano-chord-chart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/piano-chord-chart\/","title":{"rendered":"Piano Chord Chart: Basic Chords and Intervals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re new to the piano, the idea of learning how to play chords might seem like a difficult task. To someone unfamiliar, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/piano-keys-chart\/\">keys on a piano<\/a> probably look strange, disjointed, and intimidating, but what you might not realize is that the structure of the keys on a piano represent the simple<a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/basic-music-theory\/\"> basic music theory<\/a> concepts that govern every instrument in music. When a teacher teaches a guitar student about music theory, they have to look at the keys on a keyboard to learn about things like chords, scales, and intervals. We can learn how to play chords on the piano quite easily when we learn some simple rules that govern a keyboard\u2019s makeup and structure. In this article, we\u2019ll show you how to play a myriad of chords using an easy-to-understand piano chord chart for each chord. To learn these basic chords, you\u2019ll either need a keyboard or the image of a keyboard to use as a reference.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Intervals<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In order to understand how to build simple chords on the piano, we\u2019ll have to get familiar with intervals first. In music, an interval is the relationship between two notes. The intervals we cover here will be the ingredients for basic and complex piano chords. To make things easy, we\u2019ll learn intervals and chords in the key of C using the middle C on the keyboard. The middle C is located in the middle of an 88-key keyboard. If you don\u2019t have an 88-key keyboard, feel free to use any C on the keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3616\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/half-step.jpg\" alt=\"half step piano chart\" width=\"691\" height=\"261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/half-step.jpg 691w, https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/half-step-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Minor 2nd (m2nd)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A Minor 2nd is the relationship between a C and a C# located a half step above. Intervals constantly show up in popular music, and the most famous Minor 2nd in music is the one found in the theme from the movie <em>Jaws.<\/em><\/p>\n<!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-2.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-2.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-2.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Major 2nd (M2nd)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A Major 2nd is the interval of a C moving two half steps up to a D. The first notes played together in the song \u201cChopsticks\u201d feature this interval. A Major 2nd is also the first two notes in a Major scale.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-2.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-2.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-2.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Minor 3rd (m3)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Minor 3rd intervals can be difficult to identify in music. A Minor 3rd is a C moving three half steps up to an Eb. Minor 3rds are the building blocks for Minor chords, and one is featured in the opening melody of the song \u201cGreensleeves.\u201d<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-3.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-3.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-3.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Major 3rd (M3)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A Major 3rd is the relationship between a C and the E four half steps above it. Like Minor 3rds, Major 3rds can be difficult to identify in music. The opening notes from the melody in \u201cOh, When The Saints\u201d features the interval of a Major 3rd. Major 3rds are used to build Major chords.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-4\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-3.mp3?_=4\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-3.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-3.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Perfect 4th (P4th)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The relationship between a C and the F five half steps above is a Perfect 4th. The opening notes in \u201cHere Comes The Bride\u201d are interval of a Perfect 4th.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-5\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/perfect-4.mp3?_=5\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/perfect-4.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/perfect-4.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tritone<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Tritones are famously dissonant intervals that are found in the opening melodies of \u201cMaria\u201d from <em>West Side Story<\/em> and the theme song from <em>The Simpsons. <\/em>The relationship between a C and the Gb six half steps above is a Tritone. Tritones are used to build dominant 7th chords.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-6\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tritone.mp3?_=6\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tritone.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tritone.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Perfect 5th (P5th)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Perfect 5ths are the intervals between C and G, seven half steps above. The most famous Perfect 5th in music is the one featured in the opening melody of the theme from Star Wars. Perfect 5ths can be used to build any type of chord, though they aren\u2019t seen as necessary from a compositional standpoint.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-7\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Perfect-5.mp3?_=7\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Perfect-5.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Perfect-5.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Minor 6th (m6th)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A Minor 6th is the interval between C and eight half steps above to Ab. This interval can be heard in Scott Joplin\u2019s ragtime song \u201cThe Entertainer.\u201d<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-8\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-6.mp3?_=8\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-6.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-6.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Major 6th (M6th)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Major 6th intervals are the distance between one note and another one nine half steps above. In the key of C, a Major 6th would be from a C moving up to an A. The \u201cN-B\u201d notes in the NBC theme song feature a prominent Major 6th interval.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-9\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-6.mp3?_=9\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-6.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-6.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Minor 7th (m7th)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A note of a C moving up 10 half steps to a Bb is the interval of a Minor 7th. This interval is featured in the original Star Trek theme.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-10\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-7.mp3?_=10\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-7.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/minor-7.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Major 7th (M7th)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In the key of C, a note of a C moving 11 half steps up to a B is a Major 7th. A-Ha\u2019s \u201cTake On Me\u201d features a Major 7th interval.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-11\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-7.mp3?_=11\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-7.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/major-7.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Octave<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An octave is the distance between one note and the one sharing the same name 12 half steps above or below. \u201cSomewhere Over The Rainbow\u201d features an octave in the first two notes of the vocal melody.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-12\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/octave.mp3?_=12\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/octave.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/octave.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Basic Chords<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Intervals serve as the building blocks to basic chords. You can use your knowledge of intervals to build a simple Major, Minor, or Diminished chord. A piano chord chart like the ones we\u2019ll show you in this article makes it easy to see the intervals and where the notes are. We\u2019ll show you how to build these chords in the key of C, but feel free to explore other keys if you\u2019re ready.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Major Chords<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The sound of Major chords can be sort of difficult to describe to a musician who is just starting to memorize and identify intervals and chords by listening. They feature a whole or complete sound, as opposed to Minor chords which tend to sound morose and dramatic. The piano chord chart we\u2019ll use to show you how to build features two easy-to-remember intervals: The Major 3rd and the Perfect 5th. We\u2019ll refer to the note of C (or any note you build a chord from) as the root:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3617\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/c-major-chord.jpg\" alt=\"piano chord chart C major\" width=\"669\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/c-major-chord.jpg 669w, https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/c-major-chord-300x124.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 669px) 100vw, 669px\" \/><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-13\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/C_Major.mp3?_=13\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/C_Major.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/C_Major.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Minor Chords<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Like Major chords, Minor chords feature simple combinations of intervals. A root combined with the intervals of a Minor 3rd and Perfect 5th for Minor chords.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3618\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-minor-chord.jpg\" alt=\"piano chord chart C minor\" width=\"603\" height=\"246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-minor-chord.jpg 603w, https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-minor-chord-300x122.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 603px) 100vw, 603px\" \/><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-14\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/C_minor.mp3?_=14\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/C_minor.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/C_minor.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Diminished Chords<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Diminished chords are tense, unsettled-sounding chords that feature the interval of a Tritone. If you\u2019ve ever heard a piano playing jarring, dramatic chords during old silent movies where a villain ties a helpless girl down to train tracks, then the chords you heard were Diminished chords. Diminished chords are built from the root, a Minor 3<sup>rd<\/sup>, and a Tritone.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3619\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-diminished-chord.jpg\" alt=\"piano chord chart C diminished chord\" width=\"645\" height=\"257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-diminished-chord.jpg 645w, https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-diminished-chord-300x120.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-15\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/c_dim.mp3?_=15\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/c_dim.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/c_dim.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Major, Minor, and Diminished chords are considered basic chords because they\u2019re found in every Major and Minor key in music. Following a simple piano chord chart for each type of basic chord will give you the knowledge to play any chord in any key. That\u2019s not to say there aren\u2019t other chords out there. Other intervals added on top of the basic chords we\u2019ve covered make up new extended chords that create unique characters and moods. There\u2019s no way to describe every kind of chord to you here in this article, but we\u2019ll walk you through some of the more important ones.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dominant 7th Chords<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Dominant chords are built from Major chords with an interval of a Minor 7th added. The function of a Dominant chord is to provide tension that resolves back to the first chord in a key, which is typically referred to as the tonic. Blues music usually features simple progressions that include Dominant chords, and the tension and unresolved nature of these chords reflect the longing and dissatisfaction of the lyrical content of blues music because Dominant chords are only resolved with more Dominant chords. If you see a chord labeled \u201cC7,\u201d then the chord you\u2019re seeing is a Dominant 7th chord. You&#8217;ll notice that this piano chord chart looks similar to the one for the C major chord. The only addition is the Bb, or the minor 7th.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3620\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-dominant-7-chord.jpg\" alt=\"piano chord chart C dominant 7 chord\" width=\"698\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-dominant-7-chord.jpg 698w, https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-dominant-7-chord-300x115.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 698px) 100vw, 698px\" \/><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-16\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-dominant-7.mp3?_=16\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-dominant-7.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-dominant-7.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Major 7th Chords<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Major 7th chords are built from Major chords with the interval of a Major 7th added. Although the Major 7th interval can sometimes sound dissonant, the Major 7th chord sounds beautiful and light. These chords are frequently featured in jazz and pop music. Again, this piano chord chart will look very similar to the C Major example above, just with the added B or Major 7th.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3621\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-major-7-chord.jpg\" alt=\"piano chord chart C major 7\" width=\"637\" height=\"272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-major-7-chord.jpg 637w, https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-major-7-chord-300x128.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3615-17\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-major-7.mp3?_=17\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-major-7.mp3\">https:\/\/www.musikalessons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/C-major-7.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Major 6th Chords<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>These chords are a favorite among songwriters and composers because they are can be heard as both Major and Minor chords. For example, a C Major 6th chord is made up of the notes C-E-G-A, and an A Minor 6th chord is made up of the notes A-C-E-G, the same notes but in a different order (we\u2019d call that a chord inversion in music theory). Major 6th chords are built off of the notes from a Major chord with a Major 6th interval added.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Order of Notes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s completely up to you, the musician, how you want to play the chords you\u2019ve learned here. Typically, the left hand plays the root of the chord, but that\u2019s not always the case. Like we mentioned before, sometimes the bass note in a chord isn\u2019t the root of the chord. When this happens, it\u2019s called a chord inversion. Notes from any chord can be played multiple times in the same chord, and usually the root of the chord is repeated but not always. Also, it should be noted that these chords don\u2019t have to be played in the order of root-3rd-5th as they&#8217;re laid out for you on the provided piano chord chart.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Plenty To Explore<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Like we mentioned before, the vast array of possible interval combinations that form chords are too many to list and describe here, but using a simple piano chord chart to help you build basic chords is a great place to start. Once you master building basic chords, take some time to add different notes to form extended chords. From here, we recommend learning how to play simple chord progressions found in songs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re new to the piano, the idea of learning how to play chords might seem like a difficult task. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,46,86,332],"tags":[186,17,8,209],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Piano Chord Chart: Basic Chords and Intervals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learning piano can be daunting, but with a piano chord chart you&#039;ll have the basics down in no time. 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