Many students ask me how do I play “_” chord?
I believe in teaching students how to build any chord, then you don’t have to rely on anyone else telling you how to play a chord.
I am going to tell you how to make any major chord in it’s root position. When I say root position, that means the notes of the chord is in it’s most basic position, and the first note of that chord will be the name of the chord.
So, let’s make a C chord. A C chord starts with C.
Place your right hand thumb on C and place the rest of your fingers on the white keys so that there is one finger on each key. Your pinky will end on G.
Now, since you have 5 fingers, and all 5 fingers are covering the 5 keys from C-G, you might think there are 5 keys starting from C and ending on G.
That is not correct. If you count C as #1, which one is #2? It’s not the next white key, it is the very next key, which is a black key. The black key is #2. #3 is a white key. #4 is a black key. #5 is a white key. #6 is a white key. #7 is a black key and #8 is a white key. #8 is where your pinky should be, on G.
So what does that have to do with chords? Simple! Once you know how many keys are between your 5 finger span you can make any chord. A chord is 3 or more notes played at the same time. So, to play a C chord, you will play C, (which is #1), then you will play key #5, then you will play key #8. Play all three at the same time and you will have a Chord.
You can do that for any major chord. If you want to play a G chord, start on G, find the 5th key, then find the 8th key. (They will all be white).
Try a D chord. One of the notes will be a black key. Start with D, play the 5th key (black) and play the 8th key.
Try this easy formula when making any major chord!
Have fun! ~smile~
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Tony says
Hi, Lisa!
This may sound very basic but how will one know which chord to use when you want to play a song that you have heard over the radio, or whatever source, on the piano without using any sheet music?
I’m getting back to your piano lessons again and find your lessons very easy to follow. My interest has picked up again!
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Tony
Metta Ong says
When trying to decipher the song, I can get the melody, but I cannot hear the chords, what methods are there to “hear the chords”, or is it just a talent that one cannot learn?
Lisa says
The notes of the melody will be the notes of the chord is matches. You would need a little bit of chord and scale theory to be able to learn this.
tadios says
lisa what is the word that discribe my thankfullness.please keep teaching us & we will always be thanking u
Ronald says
Thank you for this method of finding the keys that make up the various chords
solo says
just convinced me that every one can play and must the piano.thanks
beverley says
Lisa your lessons are a great help, I like the sight reading , spaces etc so easy . also the chords .
thank you so much
Brunilda Davila says
Ronald
You can Play the C chord with your thumb on midldle C,
#2 finger on E and my #finger on G
My advice is Practice until mastered it.
Brunilda
Ronald says
Thank you Lisa for your efforts and advise. I am taking note
Ronald says
Can I play the C chord with my thumb on middle C, #2 finger on E and my #4 finger on G
Akhil.s.g says
It’s feeling to be a nice method. i’m very thankfull for this simple formula. many many many thanks