How to Build C Piano Chords
C major = C – E – G
Major chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C minor = C – E♭ – G
Minor chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third note is lowered 1/2 step.
C augmented = C – E – G♯
Augmented chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the fifth note is raised 1/2 step.
C diminished = C – E♭ – G♭
Diminished chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and fifth notes are lowered 1/2 step.
C second = C – D – E – G
Second chords are built using the first, second, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C minor second = C – D – E♭ – G
Minor second chords are built using the first, second, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third note is lowered 1/2 step.
C suspended second = C – D – G
Suspended second chords are built using the first, second and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C suspended fourth = C – F – G
Suspended fourth chords are built using the first, fourth and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C fifth = C – G
Fifth chords are built using the first and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C sixth = C – E – G – A
Sixth chords are built using the first, third, fifth and sixth notes of the matching major scale.
C minor sixth = C – E♭ – G – A
Minor sixth chords are built using the first, third, fifth and sixth notes of the matching major scale, but the third note is lowered 1/2 step.
C seventh = C – E – G – B♭
Seventh chords are built using the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of the matching major scale, but the seventh note is lowered 1/2 step.
C minor seventh = C – E♭ – G – B♭
Minor seventh chords are built using the first, third, fifth and seventh notes of the matching major scale, but the third and seventh notes are lowered 1/2 step.
C major seventh = C – E – G – B
Major seventh chords are built using the first, third, fifth and seventh notes of the matching major scale.
C ninth = C – E – G – B♭ – D
Ninth chords are built using the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth notes of the matching major scale, but the seventh note is lowered 1/2 step.
C minor ninth = C – E♭ – G – B♭ – D
Minor ninth chords are built using the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and seventh notes are lowered 1/2 step.
C major ninth = C – E – G – B – D
Major ninth chords are built using the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth notes of the matching major scale.
What Are Suspended Chords?
There are two main types of suspended chords: sus2 and sus4.
Sus2 chords are built using the first, second and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
Sus4 chords are built using the first, fourth and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
How to Play an Asus2 Chord
To play an Asus2 chord, we’ll play the first, second and fifth notes of the A major scale: A – B – EYou can use this pattern to build any sus2 chord on the piano. Just play the first, second and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
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