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:
Video Playlist of the 12 Major Chords
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
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Free Download:
Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet
Subscribe below and get free access to the (printable) Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet.
