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.

What Is The Best Keyboard To Learn Piano On?

The answer depends on a number of factors, and some of your own preferences, as well as your goals as a keyboard or piano player. It's also heavily influenced by a person's preconceived notions about piano lessons and what they will need to do to learn piano.

Let's start with the most important question first - why do you want to learn to play piano? Is it for your own enjoyment only? Do you want to play piano professionally someday? Do you currently own an acoustic piano and want to use a keyboard to practice late at night or in a space with very thin walls, where the piano might disturb others?

Do you currently play or would you like to play the keyboard in a band? Do you want to test out your ability to learn piano on a somewhat inexpensive keyboard first, before making the investment in a more expensive acoustic piano?

There should be a common thread in these answers should be somewhat obvious once you spend a little time thinking about your motivation for learning piano.

It's very easy to spend as much or more on a keyboard than you would spend on an acoustic piano, but you can also find keyboards that sound and feel better than acoustic pianos. I never thought I would say this, but if I were just starting out and didn't already love my acoustic piano as an instrument and piece of furniture, I would probably lean towards a keyboard for learning and practicing piano.

In fact, as a professional piano player, I play and practice almost exclusively on digital pianos all the time these days. And most of the time, that's on a Yamaha CP33 Digital Stage Piano.

The "action" (feel and response of the keys) on this $1000-or-so keyboard is simply amazing, it's relatively light at about 50 pounds, and the piano sounds are excellent. There are a number of other sounds and functions, but I honestly just use the piano sounds about 95% of the time.

As I said before, you can easily buy a used piano for less than $1000, but it will need tuning every now and then, will be affected by humidity, and will be a lot bigger and heavier than the CP33.

If you want to pay about half that much but still have a keyboard with great action and sounds, I would recommend either the Yamaha P95 or Casio Privia or CDP-100 keyboards. The action is not quite as great as the CP33, but is still very nice, and these are all very light, portable keyboards.

All of these keyboards have the full 88 keys, by the way.

Roland also makes some great digital pianos, but you will probably pay more than $1000 for them. However, if you're serious about getting a great digital piano, you should definitely try them out before making a final decision.

These are the keyboards I'm most familiar with, and I would not recommend buying models with less than 88 keys, or non-weighted keys, because the real piano feel is just not there, and if you do want to move to piano one day, it may be a little extra work for you.

Learn Keyboard Keys Fast - Without Reading Music

Anyone can learn keyboard keys fast, without reading music, by knowing a few simple musical structures and practicing just a few minutes each day (NOT hours and hours, unless you want to!).

The word "key" can refer to the physical key on the piano or keyboard, or the key of the song you're playing, but we will address the physical keys in this article.

There's no secret shortcut to learning the keys and note names quickly, but you can speed up the process by keeping in mind just a few simple ideas.

First, the entire piano keyboard is simply a pattern of 12 distinct notes, repeated over and over up and down the keyboard: C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, and B. C#, D#, F#, G# and A# are the same as Db, Eb, Gb, Ab, and Bb, respectively.

Second, as you probably noticed or already knew, the notes are lined up in a repeating pattern using part of the alphabet from A to G: A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Most books and piano teachers start off on the white keys, in the key of C major, and the C major scale is C D E F G A B, which seems a bit confusing for some new students. After all, why not put A where C is and start the alphabet at the beginning? The answer is... that's the way it's always been and it's not going to change now!

Third, a note can be made sharp simply by moving it one half step up the keyboard (to the right), to the very next key on the keyboard or piano. That could be a white key or a black key, as long as it's the very next key.

Finally, a note is made flat by moving it one half step down the keyboard (to the left), again to the very next key on the keyboard or piano.

Learning the keyboard or piano keys is now a matter of simple repetition and testing. Call out any letter of the alphabet from A to G, possibly saying "sharp" or "flat" after it, and see how quickly you can get to that note on the piano or keyboard - anywhere on the keyboard is fine, since the key patterns repeat. You can also have a friend help you with this.

Some people also like to make flash cards with a single note name on each card - for example, C#, F, Bb, etc.

Don't try to learn them all at once, in one sitting, or you may get frustrated. In fact, if you reach the point in any practice session where you're getting angry or upset, that means it's time for a break.

The magical part about practicing is that little breaks help you - in fact, they're required if you really want to retain the information. So, practice your keyboard or piano keys (notes) a few minutes today, then maybe later in the day or tomorrow, and in just a few days, you'll be able to play them with lightning speed.