Major and Minor Triads

• Start with triads. A triad is a three-note chord. These are the basic chords to learn when you begin playing a piano. There are major and minor triads. Build a major by combining the first, third and fifth degrees of the major scale the chord is named after. Try a C major chord, built from the C major scale. The notes of this scale are C-D-E-F-G-A-B. The first, third and fifth notes of this scale are C-E-G. Find those notes on your piano keyboard and play them simultaneously. This is a C major chord. You can build any major triad in any key using this same system.
  
  Build a minor triad using the same scale degrees and then flat the third note (second note in the chord, but the third note of the scale). In the case of C major, you will flat the E by moving your finger on the black key just before the E. This note is E flat. You can make any minor chord by flatting the third note of the scale instead of playing it natural. You can build minor triads in any key by using this process.
  
  The first note in a chord is usually the name of the chord. This note is referred to as the root note of the chord.
  
  

Seventh, Ninth and Suspended Chords

• You can build a seventh chord by adding the seventh note of the scale the chord is named after. A C7 chord is a major triad with a B note (the seventh degree of the C major scale) added. To make a ninth chord, you want to play the second note of the scale, which doubles as the ninth. This note would be D for a C9 chord. You can make a suspended chord simply by omitting the third note of the scale and replacing it with the fourth. A Csus4 chord would include an F note and no E. The notes of a Csus4 (sus means suspended) would be C-F-G. The F note is the fourth note of the C scale, which replaces the third note and gives the suspended chord its sound. The notes of a ninth chord are contain the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth degrees of a scale. For a C9 chord, play C-E-G-B-D. This is a C7 chord with the ninth (or second) note of a scale added.
  
  

Chord Inversions

• Play chord inversions to add sound variety to your piano playing. A chord inversion is simply a chord played with its notes rearranged. If you take your C major chord and use the C in the next highest position, the note order is E-G-C. This is still a C chord, but since the C is in a higher position and now the last note of the chord, it has a slightly different sound. This is a first inversion C. To invert the chord again, use the E above the high C at the end so the note order is G-C-E.