| If you are a beginning piano student, one of the first | | | | we know that Bb is the final note, so an Eb major |
| things you learn are the major scales. If you know | | | | chord consists of Eb, G, Bb. |
| your major scales, then you can easily play major | | | | Once you know how to play a major chord, finding the |
| piano chords. | | | | minor chord is an easy task. The only difference |
| A major piano chord is formed by playing the first, third, | | | | between the two is the third note; a minor chord has a |
| and fifth notes of the scale. For example, a D major | | | | flatted third note. By now, you have learned that a D |
| scale is D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D. D, F#, and A are the first | | | | major chord consists of D, F#, A. Lower the F# to an |
| third, and fifth notes of the D major scale, so a D | | | | F natural and you have a D minor chord. |
| major chord consists of D, F#, and A. An F major | | | | The minor chord can also be found using a simple |
| scale consists of F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F. Since F, A, and C | | | | formula. The formula is root + 3 half steps + 4 half |
| are the first, third, and fifth notes, they make up an F | | | | steps. To find the G minor chord, start on G and go up |
| major chord. | | | | three half steps: Ab, A, Bb. Therefore, Bb is the |
| For those who don't know the major scales, there is a | | | | second note in the G minor chord. From there you go |
| simple formula that you can use: root + 4 half steps + | | | | up four more half steps: B, C, Db, D. Now you know |
| 3 half steps. A half step is the distance from one note | | | | that G, Bb, and D are the notes that make up the G |
| to the very next one. C to C#, E to F, and A to Bb are | | | | minor chord. |
| all examples of half steps. So using this formula, let's | | | | Now you know how easy it is to play major and minor |
| find an Eb major chord. The first note will be an Eb. Go | | | | piano chords. If you haven't already learned your major |
| from Eb to E, F, Gb, and finally G. That's four half steps | | | | and minor scales, now is the time to start. They will |
| so G is the second note in the Eb major chord. Now | | | | make your progress as a piano player much easier. |
| start on G and go up three half steps: Ab, A, Bb. Now | | | | |