What are the basic piano chords?

Most common basic piano chords are:

1. Major Chords: These chords have a bright and happy sound with the formula Major Triad: Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth (e.g., C-E-G)
a) C Major: C-E-G
b) D Major: D-F♯-A
c) E Major: E-G♯-B
d) F Major: F-A-C
e) G Major: G-B-D
f) A Major: A-C♯-E
g) B Major: B-D♯-F♯

2. Minor Chords: These chords have a more melancholic or mellow sound with the formula Minor Triad: Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth (e.g., C-E♭-G)
a)C Minor: C-E♭-G
b)D Minor: D-F-A
c)E Minor: E-G-B
d)F Minor: F-A♭-C
e)G Minor: G-B♭-D
f)A Minor: A-C-E
g)B Minor: B-D-F♯

3. Diminished Chords: These chords have a tense, unstable sound with the formula Diminished Triad: Root, Minor Third, Diminished Fifth (e.g., C-E♭-G♭)

a) C Diminished: C-E♭-G♭
b) D Diminished: D-F-A♭
c) E Diminished: E-G-B♭
d) F Diminished: F-A♭♭ (E)
e) G Diminished: G-B♭♭ (A)
f) A Diminished: A-C-E♭
g) B Diminished: B-D-F

4. Augmented Chords: These chords have a tense, bright sound with formula Augmented Triad: Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth (e.g., C-E-G♯)

a) C Augmented: C-E-G♯
b) D Augmented: D-F♯-A♯ (B♭)
c) E Augmented: E-G♯-B♯ (C)
d) F Augmented: F-A-C♯
e) G Augmented: G-B-D♯
f) A Augmented: A-C♯-E♯ (F)
g) B Augmented: B-D♯-F♯

5. Seventh Chords: These chords add an additional note to the basic triad, creating a richer sound with formula Major Seventh: Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh (e.g., C-E-G-B)

a) Minor Seventh: Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh (e.g., C-E♭-G-B♭)
b) Dominant Seventh: Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh (e.g., C-E-G-B♭)
c) Half-Diminished Seventh: Root, Minor Third, Diminished Fifth, Minor Seventh (e.g., C-E♭-G♭-B♭)
d) Diminished Seventh: Root, Minor Third, Diminished Fifth, Diminished Seventh (e.g., C-E♭-G♭-B♭♭ (A))

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Basic piano chords include major chords, minor chords, diminished chords, and augmented chords. Here are some examples in the key of C: 1. Major chord: C-E-G 2. Minor chord: C-E♭-G 3. Diminished chord: C-E♭-G♭ 4. Augmented chord: C-E-G♯ These chords can be transposed to other keys by maintaining their respective patterns of intervals. read less