In this lesson you’ll learn how to play every variation of a chord of C major on piano, including its root position, first inversion and second inversion.
The notes required for a C major piano chord are as follows:
C major is the most popular piano chord in music, and also one of the easiest to play. This method will show you the best way to play a chord of C major on piano.
Start by playing two C notes in your left hand, one octave apart. Once you’re comfortable, play a G note in the middle with your left hand second finger.
Then use your right hand to make up the rest of the chord. As you’re already playing a C in your left hand, play an E note with your thumb. Play a G with your second, then stretch your fifth (pinkie) finger up to a high C.
E flat major, like all triads, consists of three notes. This chord is formed by combining the root note, Eb, major third, G and perfect fifth, Bb of the major scale. Eb – G – Bb. In other words, you play notes 1, 3, and 5 of the scale. Play these notes simultaneously and there you have it, an Eb major chord!
All major chords follow the exact same pattern: start with the ROOT note, go up FOUR notes, then go up THREE notes.
But what does this mean in practice? For a chord of Eb major, start with your thumb on the root note (the root note is the name of the chord you're playing - in this case, Eb). The next note is FOUR notes above the root (G). Then the final note is THREE notes above that (Bb).
For example:
And that's how you build a chord of C major on piano. That's all there is to it!
This is a diagram of how a chord of Eb major is written on a score. The Eb sits at the bottom of the chord stack. the G is in the middle, with the Bb sitting at the very top.
A First Inversion chord of C major uses the exact same notes as the Root Position, but played in a different order. A good way of playing this is with two E notes in your left hand, one octave apart. Then play a triad chord in your right using the notes G, C and E.
