Learn How to Make Chords

If you want to learn how to make chords, that is great! Learning how chords are made rather just memorizing the notes is a definitely the way to go for long term piano playing (and other instruments too).

Start With The Major Scale

When learning how to make chords, the best place to start is the major scale.

Take a look at this scale - it's the C major scale.

C major scale (Learn how to make chords)

You can make chords by combining the different notes of the scale and playing them together.

How To Make A Major Chords

If you take the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of this scale (or any scale) you get a major chord. The notes here are C E G.

C Chord

Chord Titles

Each type of chord has a title and a formula or pattern. They are based on the major scale. You can read about what the titles mean on the Chord Titles page.

If you work off of a major scale you can make any chord. If you need to make a minor chord or a 7th chord, you follow the same process.

How To Make A Minor Chord

With a minor chord, you must lower the 3rd note of the scale by one semi-tone. So instead of "C E G" you play "C Eb G".

C Minor Chord

Note that you must change the notes of the major scale.

Now Make A 7th Chord

The same thing happens with a 7th chord. With this chord you must use the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th notes of the scale. You must lower the 7th note by one semi-tone.

The notes are C E G Bb.

C7 Chord

Learning Chords Step By Step

Here's the step by step approach for how to make chords:

1. Look at or choose a root note.
Our example was C. It is the first note in the chord. It can include a sharp or flat.

2. Look at (or think about) the scale for that root note.
You can see the major scales here.

3. Figure out what the chord title is telling you to do.
Learn the formula for that particular chord. Figure out what notes in the scale you should play.
You can find help here on the Read Piano Chords page also.

4. Apply the formula to the notes of the scale.

5. Play the chord!

Once you play chords for a little while you won't even have to think about all of this. You'll remember what they are easily and just play them. If you learn how to make chords you can eventually figure any chord out.

Free Download:

Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet

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More pages that might help:

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Join the 14 day piano chord challenge and learn a new chord every day! Perfect for beginners learning to play piano chords.