#Once and for all piano chords pdf

Give an augmented chord a play and you will see. Raising that fifth up by one semitone creates a lot of tension. The formula being 1, 3, 5# which means a G augmented (notated G+ or Gaug) is G-B-D#. So far we have expressed chord qualities as major or minor, when we raise the note in the 5 position we get an augmented chord. By knowing the first two columns of this poster you will be able to play thousands of songs. Most popular modern music is a mix of both of them. Major chords are very uplifting and strong while minor chords have a deeper and sometimes sad feel. Again if we take any key and use the same formula we will get all the minor chords. But since it is minor, the 3 rd is flat so it is 1, b3, 5. And to make a minor chord we also use the 1, 3, and 5. The minor scale is based on the formula W-H-W-W-H-W-W. As we advance in playing the piano we want to keep our hand movements to a minimum and changing the note order helps. Sometimes you want the chord to have a little different texture and other times you may use another inversion to save time on fingering. The second inversion is if we order the C major as G-C-E. A root position C major is C-E-G, if we order it E-G-C it is still a C major but the first inversion. Now an inversion is when we change that order. Look at each major piano chord and you will see they all follow this formula. For another example the Ab major would be Ab-C-Eb.

So the 1, 3, and 5 in the C major scale is C-E-G. Now the major chord formula is the root or first note, third, and fifth. Even if you don’t have your Circle of Fifths that formula will help find all major scales. All major scales have the formula W-W-H-W-W-W-H, the H being a semitone and the W two semitones or a whole tone. The most common scale used is the major, and in the key of C that is the simple CDEFGABC. Music is made up of patterns and formulas, and once you learn them you will eventually have an epiphany where it all falls in place! To get to that point of understanding you start with the basics and of course practice! Major Chords

But we promise with just a little music theory you will unlock the real power of these chords. The poster is aimed at making it easy to play a chord without a deeper explanation.

That will help remind you why each key has its specific sharps or flats.Īlong with the root position the image also shows you the first and second inversion, which we will explain below. All 12 keys are represented, and a great review along with this poster is your Circle of Fifths. If you look down every column you will see the chord qualities all have the same distances in tones.įollow the red to know exactly which notes are played on each chord. And it is important to note that one key to the next is a half-step or semitone difference. The (free) Piano Chord Chart PosterĮach image on the OKTAV chord chart is roughly two octaves on the piano starting at the C note. If possible print it out and put it right beside your piano or keyboard.

#Once and for all piano chords pdf

We’ve also included a free downloadable PDF poster with chord charts. This piano chord chart shows you all chords – from the most common ones to the tricky augmented and diminished ones – through all harmonies. And as you dive deeper into your music-making knowing about it will make you a complete piano player. What looks complicated first for beginners follows a pattern. Chords are an essence of music as they define the harmonies.