When you start playing the piano, learning about chords is really exciting.

Chords are like the building blocks of music.

Once you understand them, you can play many songs.

Here are some basic chords every beginner should know:

Major Chords

1. C Major (C): C - E - G
2. D Major (D): D - F# - A
3. E Major (E): E - G# - B
4. F Major (F): F - A - C
5. G Major (G): G - B - D
6. A Major (A): A - C# - E
7. B Major (B): B - D# - F#

Major chords sound bright and happy.

That’s why they are used in many fun songs!

Once you get good at these chords, you’ll notice them in lots of popular music.

Minor Chords

1. C Minor (Cm): C - E♭ - G
2. D Minor (Dm): D - F - A
3. E Minor (Em): E - G - B
4. F Minor (Fm): F - A♭ - C
5. G Minor (Gm): G - B♭ - D
6. A Minor (Am): A - C - E
7. B Minor (Bm): B - D - F#

Minor chords add different feelings to your music.

They can sound sad or thoughtful compared to the happy major chords.

Seventh Chords

Seventh chords make your music sound richer.

Here are some basic seventh chords:

1. C Major 7 (Cmaj7): C - E - G - B
2. D Minor 7 (Dm7): D - F - A - C
3. E Minor 7 (Em7): E - G - B - D
4. F Major 7 (Fmaj7): F - A - C - E
5. G Dominant 7 (G7): G - B - D - F
6. A Minor 7 (Am7): A - C - E - G
7. B Half-Diminished 7 (Bm7♭5): B - D - F - A

Basic Chord Progressions

After you learn these chords, you can try playing some chord progressions, which are series of chords played in a row.

Here are a few classic examples great for beginners:

1. I-IV-V-I (C - F - G - C): This is used in many different songs.

2. I-vi-IV-V (C - Am - F - G): This is called the "50s progression" and sounds wonderful.

3. I-ii-V-I (C - Dm - G - C): This is great for practicing switching between major and minor chords.

Tips for Practicing

• Start Slowly: Take your time with each chord. Make sure you press the right notes without hurting your fingers.

• Listen for Changes: Try moving between chords in a progression. Notice how they work well together or feel different.

• Use a Metronome: A metronome can help you keep a steady beat while you practice.

• Play Songs: Once you know some basic chords, try playing easy songs that use them. It feels great to play music!

Learning these chords and simple progressions is important for your piano journey.

Remember, it’s all about practicing and having fun.

Enjoy making music!