How to form chords
Although chord finders are valuable tools on the Internet, what do we do when we’re sitting at the piano with no access to the computer, trying to figure out chords? Here’s a breakdown of the many chord formation you’ll use when playing the piano. Yes, there are augmented chords, and there are 9, 11, and 13 chords. I’ve picked a few basic ones to get you started.
Important
Minor
Dominating the 7th
sus4
sus2 and sum9
diminished
major sevenths
major chords
Starting from the root note, count FIVE semitones (5 semitones). Always use the root note when counting. This will take you to the second note of the chord. From this note inclusive, count FOUR semitones (4 semitones). This will take us to the final note of the chord.
Example: C Major – C is the root note of this chord. Count up 5 semitones from C: C=1, C#= 2, D=3, Eb=4, E=5. Then count up 4 semitones from the second note of the chord: E=1, F=2, F#=3, G=4. Play C, E and G together and you will have a C major chord. By using this ‘FIVE then FOUR’ rule, you can work out any major chord.
Minor chords (m)
For minor chords, just reverse the rule to resolve major chords. Instead of counting 5 and then 4, count 4 and then 5.
Example: C minor – C is the root note of this chord. Count up 4 semitones from C: C=1, C#=2, D=3, Eb=4. Then count up 5 semitones from the second note of the chord: Eb=1, E=2, F=3, F#=4, G=5. Play C, Eb and G together and you will have a C minor chord. By using this FOUR then FIVE rule, you can resolve any minor chord.
Dominant seventh chords (7)
With seventh chords, you add an extra note to the chord. This additional note is always the note two semitones (1 whole step) below the root note. However, you don’t play this note at the bottom of the chord, you just move it to the top of the chord.
Example: C7 – Form a C major chord… C, E and G. The root note of this chord is C. Two semitones (1 full step) below the root note is Bb. Add this Bb above. of the chord and we have a chord C7 – C, E, G and Bb. The same rule applies to working with minor seventh chords.
sus4 chords
Example: Csus4
Play C major – C, E, G. Move the middle note of the chord UP a semitone (1 half step). In this example, move E up one semitone. This brings us to F. Play C, F and G together and we have a Csus4 chord.
Sus2 and add9 Chords
Sus2 Chords – Example: Sus
Play C major – C, E, G. Move the middle note of the chord DOWN two semitones (1 full step). In this example, move the E down two semitones. This brings us to D. Play C, D and G together and we have a Csus2 chord.
Add9 Chords: These chords are almost identical to sus2 chords. The only difference is that it also plays the middle note. So, Cadd9 is made up of C, D, E and G
Diminished chords (dim)
Example: CDIM
Play C major – C, E and G. Move the TOP TWO NOTES of the chord DOWN a semitone (1 half step). In this example, move E and G down a semitone. This brings us to Eb and F#. Play C, Eb and F# together and we have a Cdim chord.
Major seventh chords (M7)
These chords are used a lot in Jazz music. With major seventh chords, add an extra note to the chord. This additional note is always the note ONE semitone (1 semitone) below the root note. However, do not play this note at the bottom of the chord. Just move it to the top of the chord.
Example: CM7 – Form a C major chord…C, E and G. The root of this chord is C. A semitone (1 semitone) below the root is B. Add this B on top of the chord and we have a CM7 chord… C, E, G and B.
Now you have some music theory to apply to your piano playing. Chord formation will lead to playing chord progressions which will then produce songs.