Major chords are the most important as all the other chords are
built up from them.
There is a major chord for each note on your keyboard. the notes
are A B C D E F and G so you are now going to learn the major
chords that go with each of these notes. Sounds daunting? Well
here is something really nice which you will be very pleased to
know. The rule for forming major chords is exactly the same for
every note so you only have to learn one simple rule.
The first note of any major chord is always the note which bears
the name of the chord. So the first note in the chord of A major
is A. The first note in the chord of B major is B. It's pretty
easy so far isn't it. These first notes are known as the TONIC
note.
Now for the simple rule.
Simply remember the numbers 1, 5, 8. Say the numbers 1, 5 and 8
over and over to yourself until it's really sunk in. Now here
is the simple secret of how to form chords:
Play the first (TONIC) note and say 1 then count the keys up
from the tonic note and when you count the keys in this case
include the black keys as well,
2, 3, 4, 5. play the 5th key as this is the second note in you
major chord. Now count 6, 7, 8. and play the eighth key as this
is the third note in your major chord. Try this with the chord
of C major.
Play the note C and include this in your count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8.
We know note 1 is C and we have now discovered that count 5
brings us to E and count 8 brings us to G. Remember when
counting to include the black keys. C E and G are the notes
making up the chord of C major. Try the same exercise with the
other tonic notes and listen to the different sounds thus
created. Concentrate on three important chords, C major, G
major, and F major. Once you know these chords and learn to play
them with both hands you will hear a vast improvement in your
playing. You will use these chords frequently in many different
pieces of music so take the time to learn them properly.
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