Introduction to Chords - C, F and G

It is possible to play a very interesting melody using one finger to play each note and this is fine. You can play each note with a finger on your right hand and then follow up with a parallel note with a finger on the left hand, this is also great. You may even randomly sound more than  one note at some point as you play along. 

All these are ways to improve, but a very important concept in the Piano is the concept of Chords.  Yes, you can't be a good armature(let alone professional!) if you don't know about chords.

What are Chords

A chord can be defined as a combination of three or more notes (played together) and where the distance between the notes follow  a definite pattern. I have added the last part in a brackets because there is also the concept of 'broken chords' or appergios where you don't have to play the notes together.

Generally, chords are played with the left hand in the lower register of the keyboard.

Three Note Chords

Let's examine the basic type of chords, that is three-note chords. Note that there is no such thing as 'two-note chord'.

Three note chords are also called triads.

The C Chord

The C chord consists of the notes C, E and G.

The name of the chord comes from the first letter of the chord, C, and this is referred to as the root of the chord.  The C Chord is illustrated in Figure 1.

The second note of the chord E is called the third and the last note G is called the fifth. So we have, 

Root-Third-Fifth

You play the C Chord with your Pinky, the middle finger and the thumb.

Exercise 1: Master the C Chord

As an exercise, try playing the C chord beginning with the first C on the keyboard and then play on the next C and so on until you get to the end of the keyboard. 

Do it with your right hand and then with your left.

Repeat this a number of times until you can do it very fast without having to take time to think.

The F Chord

The F chord is made up of the notes F, A and C. Just like the C Chord , the F chord derives its name from the fact that the root note of the chord is F.

Exercise 2: Master the F Chord

Play the F Chord several times with your left hand, then with your right until you get used to it.

The G Chord

The G Chord is made up of the notes G, B and D with the G as the root note. The G chord is normally played beginning with the G below the middle C.

The G Chord is shown in the figure below.

Exercise 3: Master the G Chord

Play the G chord several times until you get used to it.

Summary

The three chords you learnt in this lesson are known as "All Whites" and is the easiest chord you will learn and that is why I choose to start with it. Notice that these three chords look exactly the same. Be sure that as we progress, you will learn of chords having black keys. But for now make sure you can play these chords perfectly enough before moving on.

As an exercise, try playing the C Chord, then the F Chord, then the G Chord and then back to the C chord and repeat the process all over again.