How To Find Keyboard Chord Notes For Any Chord In Seconds

You can learn how to find keyboard chord notes for any chord in seconds using a few simple formulas. No matter what key you're playing in, or what the chord symbol, these simple chord templates will be all you need to build any chord from scratch, quickly and easily.

First, we need a couple of definitions: half steps and whole steps.

A half step is the smallest distance between any two keys on the piano. It can be between two white keys, or between a white key and a black key (but not between two black keys). If you pick any key on the piano, the note 1/2 step above (to the right of) that key is the key immediately to the right of the current key.

For example, if you play a C (the white key to the immediate left of any of the groups of two black keys), 1/2 step above C is C#, the 1st of the 2 black keys in the 2-black-key group. The note 1/2 step below C is B - it's the white key immediately to the left of C.

A whole step is simply two half steps. So, the note a whole step above C is the first white key to the right of C, which is D.

With those definitions out of the way, here's how to build any major chord:

1. Play the root of the chord - for example, play a C note.

2. Play the note 4 half steps (2 whole steps) above that note - in this example, that would be E, the note two white keys to the right of C.

3. Play the note 3 half steps (1 and 1/2 whole steps) above that last note - in this example, that would be G, the note 2 white keys to the right of E.

When you play those 3 notes together, you will be playing a major chord, also know as a major triad (3 notes).

This works for any beginning note. For example, if we start with Ab, the black key in the middle of a group of 3 black keys, the next note up would be 4 half steps above that, which is C. The third note is 3 half steps above C, which is Eb. So, Ab major is Ab - C - Eb.

To build a minor chord starting on any note, simple "switch" the top two intervals. In other words, start with any note - for example C. Next, play the note 3 half steps above that root, which is Eb in this example. Finally, play the note 4 half steps above the last one, which is G in this example. C minor is played as C - Eb - G.

Once again, we can use this structure starting on any note. For example, starting on F, we have F - Ab - C to make an Fm chord.

To build a diminished chord, start with the root note, then play the note 3 half steps above the root, then another note 3 half steps above that one. So, Cdim (C diminished) would be C - Eb - Gb.

Finally, to build an augmented chord, start with the root, then play the note 4 (1/2-steps) above the root, then the note 4 (1/2-steps) above that one. So, C+ (C augmented) would be C - E - G#.

There are other chord modifications and extensions, but these are the formulas for the foundation chords, so you won't need to look up the basic chords any longer.