What Are the 12 Major Chords?
There are 12 major chords that you can play on the piano. To make a major chord, you play the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of a major scale together. For example, the C major scale has the notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. So you use C E G to make the major chord.
Keep in mind that you call one black note by 2 names, like C# and Db. Chords like this have the same notes but are called and written differently. Both ways will be written here.
About Major Chords
Major chords are written as just a letter name. They come from major scales and use the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the scale with the same name. (You can learn more about this on the chord theory page.)
Here they are:
F# = F# A# C#
Gb = Gb Bb Db
Video Playlist of the 12 Major Chords
Chart of The 12 Major Chords (+ 2)
Charts can be useful and here is one for you. This is the chart of all the major chords for piano. You can also find this and the individual major chords at Piano Lessons on Pinterest.
Chart of Major ChordsMajor Chord Quiz / Game
We have created a little quiz or game for you to practice coming up with the notes in the different major chords.
Check out the major chords quiz page here.
Old School Chart:
This is the original chart of the major chords I published on the site. I've just left it up here as it shows things slightly differently and you may find it useful.
| Chord | Notes | Picture |
| C | C E G |  |
| C# | C# E# G# |  |
| Db | Db F Ab |  |
| D | D F# A |  |
| Eb | Eb G Bb |  |
| E | E G# B |  |
| F | F A C |  |
| F# | F# A# C# |  |
| Gb | Gb Bb Db |  |
| G | G B D |  |
| Ab | Ab C Eb |  |
| A | A C# E |  |
| B | B D# F# |  |
These major chords are the most common ones you’ll come across when playing a song. Learning and knowing these will get you a long way. To learn some more kinds of chords, go to minor chords or back to chord charts.
Free Download:
Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet
Subscribe below and get free access to the (printable) Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet.
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Return from 12 Major Chords to Piano Lessons Homepage.
More pages that might help:
C# Piano Chord Notes, Inversions & How To Play It
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Diminished Piano Chords - Chart & Explanation
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How to Play G Chord on Piano (G Major Chord)
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Db Chord Piano: Notes, Fingers & How To Play It
How to play Db chord on piano, which fingers and notes to use, plus video and pictures!
How to Play Bb Piano Chord: Notes, Inversions & More!
Learn how to play the Bb major chord, notes and fingers to use, video to show you how, Bb/D. Bb/F, inversions and more.
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Capo & Piano Chords: What It Means
Wondering what to do about capos and piano chords? Here's a quick explainer for you.
B Chord Piano Notes & Finger Position (B Major Chord)
How to play B major chord on piano – notes, fingers and video to help you along.
Free Download:
Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet
Subscribe below and get free access to the (printable) Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet.
