What is a chord?
A Chord is a combination of notes played at the same time. There are different chord types but major and minor chords are the most common and easy to learn for beginners.
Major and minor chords are both triads, meaning they are made up of 3 notes: the lowest note (called the "Root"), the middle note (aka the "Third") and the top note (aka the "Fifth").
A major chord sounds happy and a minor chord sounds sad.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to play any major or minor chord and the good news is that it is very easy.
Piano Chord Fingering
For your piano chord fingering, you will most likely be using 5 – 3 – 1 on your left hand and 1 – 3 – 5 on your right hand.
Major Chords
In a major chord, you have 3 notes between the root note and the middle note and 2 notes between the middle note and the top note. And that's all you really need to know to play any major chord on piano.
For example, a C Major chord means that the root note is C. Then the middle note is E and the top note is G.
For a D Major chord, the root note is D, the middle note is F# and the top note is A.
Major Chords Chart
Minor Chords
In a minor chord, you have 2 notes between the root note and the middle note and 3 notes between the middle note and the top note. And that's all you really need to know to play any minor chord on piano.
For example, an A Minor chord means that the root note is A. Then the middle note is C and the top note is E.
For a C Minor chord, the root note is C, the middle note is D# and the top note is G.
Minor Chords Chart
Summary
You have learned how to play any major or minor chord and how basic chords work.
In my songs, when I play chords with my left hand, sometimes I only play the root note (or two notes of the triad). It is easier for beginners and the sound is close to the original.
At this point, you are ready to watch my tutorials to play easy songs for beginners.