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This lesson shows you how to build or construct a piano chord using a few formula. You no longer need to memorize the structure of each piano chord. All you need to know is the formula associates with each
types of chord. We will discuss major chord, minor chord, diminished chord, and augmented chord in this piano lesson.
How to build a chord?
Generally speaking, there are four types of piano chord (also known as triad):
1. Major (e.g. C)
2. Minor (e.g. Cm)
3. Diminished (e.g. C0)
4. Augmented (e.g. C+)
Major and minor chords are the two most important chords
It is possible to play many popular tunes using only major and minor chords. Diminished and augmented chords are merely "salt" and "pepper" of music. They are used for passing from one major or minor chord to another. It is also known as the
passing chords.
Formula Of Constructing A Chord Using Semitones
A semitone (also called the half step) is the smallest possible distance on a piano/keyboard. For example:
C to Db is a semitone. D to Eb is also a semitone.
Piano Chord Formulae:
Major chord formula: 4-3 semitones
Major chord can also be called the pleasant or happy chord.
For example:
To build a C major chord on a piano, you will use C note, E note (4 semitone from C. Db is the first semitone, D is the second semitone, Eb is the third semitone, and E is the fourth semitone), and G note
(3 semitones from E is G. F is the first semitone, F# is the second semitone, and G is the third semitone).
Take a look at the picture.
Minor chord formula: 3-4 semitones
This formula is the opposite of major chord. Using the formula, we can construct/form any minor chord easily. The minor chord can be called the moody chord or the sad chord.
Example 1:
F minor chord = F + Ab (3 semitones from F) + C (4 semitones from Ab).
Diminished chord formula: 3-3 semitones
As mentioned, this chord is used sparingly. The main reason is because this chord sound unstable. It is transitional and needs to be resolved to major/minor chord after used. The diminished chord can be
called the suspense chord.
Example 1:
C diminished chord = C + Eb (3 semitones from C) +Gb (3 semitones from Eb)
Augmented chord formula: 4-4 semitones
Similar to diminished chord, the augmented chord serves as a passing chord. When used appropriately, it will make the piano music sound spectacular.
Example 1:
D augmented chord = D + F# (4 semitones from D) + A# (4 semitones from F#)
I recommend you try out these chords and hear for yourself the different flavors associate with each types of chord. After some testing you will soon be able to identify each type of chord you come across.
The following is a short list of major and minor chords' structure.
Major chord C= C E G Db= Db F Ab D= D F# A Eb=Eb G Bb E=E G# B F=F A C
Gb=Gb Bb Db G=G B D Ab=Ab C Eb A=A C# E Bb=Bb D F B=B D# F#
Minor chord Cm= C Eb G Dbm=Db Fb Ab Dm=D F A Ebm=Eb Gb Bb Em= E G B F= F Ab C
Gbm= Gb Bbb (also known as A) Db Gm=G Bb D Abm=Ab Cb Eb Am=A C E
Bbm=Bb Db F Bm= B D F#
