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Piano Chords in Major and Minor Keys

The picture below shows a list of the tonic triads for each of the twelve major keys. A tonic triad is a chord made up of the first, third and fifth degree of the scale. For example the scale of C major is C, D, E, F, G, A B, C. The first degree (or first note) of the scale is C, the third is E, and the fifth is G. Each chord shown below is in root position. This means that the first degree of the scale is in the bass (the lowest note). The notes of each chord can be rearranged (inverted) and played at different octaves for different musical effects.
Piano Chord Chart Major Keys
The chords beginning on black keys can also be named by their enharmonic equivalents. In other words: D flat major can also be called C sharp major, F sharp major can be called G flat major etc. However, in the picture I have named the chords by their most common and logical enharmonic equivalent name. E.g. it is more logical to say “D flat major” instead of “C sharp major” because the note names of the scale of D flat major are simpler to work out than those of the scale of C sharp major, even though the pitches are the same.
You can turn each of the major chords above into a minor chord by simply lowering the middle note by a semi tone, as pictured below. A semi tone is the distance from one key to the next adjacent key on the piano, i.e. the smallest possible interval between two notes. E.g. a C major chord becomes C minor if you change the E to E flat, and a D major chord becomes D minor if you change the F sharp to F natural, etc. For more information on the letter names of the keys on the piano, see the keyboard diagrams on this page: Piano scales
Here is a diagram showing the tonic triads in root position for each of the twelve minor keys:
Piano Chord Chart in Minor Keys
Read more about chords here: Chords, Roman numerals and inversions.
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Qualified graduate piano teacher.
Fellow of The Incorporated Society of Musicians.
More than 25 years of experience teaching piano and music theory in person and online.
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Articles
  • About
  • Fees
  • Learn Online
    • Beginner's Piano Lesson Package
    • Classical Compilation
    • Free Downloads
    • How to Play Fast eBook and Studies
    • Instruction Video and PDFs - Berens Study in A Minor
    • Music Theory Tutorials
    • Online Music Theory Lessons
    • Online Piano Lessons by Video Exchange
    • Piano Tutorials
    • Skype/FaceTime Lessons
    • Shop
  • Contact