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