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.

Major chords are written as just a letter name. Here they are:

C Major Chord
C Sharp Major Chord
D Major Chord
D Flat Major Chord
E Major Chord
E Flat Major Chord
F Major Chord
F Sharp Major Chord
G Major Chord
G Flat Major Chord
A Major Chord
A Flat Major Chord
B Flat Major Chord
B Major Chord

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 major chord
C# C# E# G# c sharp major chord
Db Db F Ab d flat major chord
D D F# A d major chord
Eb Eb G Bb e flat major chord
E E G# B e major chord
F F A C f major chord
F# F# A# C#
Gb Gb Bb Db major chords
G G B D major chords
Ab Ab C Eb major chords
A A C# E major chords
Bb Bb D F major chords
B B D# F# major chords

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. 

Return from 12 Major Chords to Piano Lessons Homepage.

Learn Piano Online