First of all, a chord is defined as "three or more notes played at the same time" (Neely 151). Generally, the lowest note of a chord is called the root note, which gives it its name. In addition, notes you use on top of the root note give the chord its type. Most chords start out as triads, which are "three notes added together...[it] consists of a root note and two other notes --- a 3rd interval and a 5th interval" (Neely 153). You can alter triads and build new chords by:
1. Raising or lowering notes of the triad by a half step or whole step.
2. Adding notes to the triad.
3. Both 1 and 2.
One type of chord is the major chord, which is "perhaps the most frequently used, most familiar, and easiest chords to play" (Neely 154). You make them with the notes and intervals of a major scale, and can build one by starting out with a root note and then adding other notes from the desired chord's scale. They are named with just the name of the root, and are played using the white keys only.
Another type of chord is the minor chord, which sounds much sadder than a major chord. Though they may seem completely different, minor chords are composed of three notes like the major chord: the root note, a 3rd interval, and a 5th interval. You can make one in two different ways:
1. Play a major chord and lower the second note, or 3rd interval, by one half step.
2. Play the root note and add the third and fifth notes of the major scale one top.
For these, you must use the black keys as well as the white keys.
Neely, Blake. Piano for Dummies. New York: IDG Books Worldwide, 2009, Print.
1. Raising or lowering notes of the triad by a half step or whole step.
2. Adding notes to the triad.
3. Both 1 and 2.
Major Chords
One type of chord is the major chord, which is "perhaps the most frequently used, most familiar, and easiest chords to play" (Neely 154). You make them with the notes and intervals of a major scale, and can build one by starting out with a root note and then adding other notes from the desired chord's scale. They are named with just the name of the root, and are played using the white keys only.Minor Chords
Another type of chord is the minor chord, which sounds much sadder than a major chord. Though they may seem completely different, minor chords are composed of three notes like the major chord: the root note, a 3rd interval, and a 5th interval. You can make one in two different ways:1. Play a major chord and lower the second note, or 3rd interval, by one half step.
2. Play the root note and add the third and fifth notes of the major scale one top.
For these, you must use the black keys as well as the white keys.
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