Easy Piano Chords

Major chords are known for their pleasant, positive moods, and are among the most commonly used piano chords. A major chord is built with a major third and a perfect fifth:

• Learn Major Piano Triads  |  Maj Bass Triads
• Major 7th & Dominant 7th Chords  |  M7 Bass Chords

Minor chords are somber and melancholy, and can effectively evoke a sense of desperation and urgency. A minor chord has a minor third and a perfect fifth:

• Learn Minor Piano Triads  |  Min Bass Triads
• Minor 7th & min/Maj7 Chords  |  m7 Bass Chords

Diminished chords, although bizarre in sound, are natural occurrences; there is one diminished chord in each musical key. A diminished chord is built with a minor third and a diminished fifth:

• Diminished Piano Triads  |  Dim Bass Triads
• Diminished 7th & Half-Diminished Chords  |  °7 Bass Chords

The augmented chord is another strange-sounding collaboration of notes, but is less ambiguous than its diminished cousin. An augmented chord has a major third, and is defined by an augmented fifth:

• Augmented Piano Triads  |  Aug Bass Triads
• Augmented 7th & Aug/Maj7 Chords  |  +7 Bass Chords

The augmented chord is another strange-sounding collaboration of notes, but is less ambiguous than its diminished cousin. An augmented chord has a major third, and is defined by an augmented fifth:

• Suspended 4th Piano Triads  |  Sus4 Bass Triads
• Suspended 2nd Piano Triads  |  Sus2 Bass Chords

_{Images © Brandy Kraemer}

Related Chord Lessons:

►  Chord Types & Their Symbols in Sheet Music
►  The Difference Between Major & Minor
►  About Diminished Chords & “Dissonance”
►  Root Notes & Chord Inversion
►  What Are Arpeggiated Chords?
►  Piano ‘Triad Chord’ Practice Scales