Your first chords: C, F, and G

Building a chord

A chord is three or more notes played together. The simplest kind is a triad: skip a note, play a note, skip, play, skip, play.

Start on C. Skip D, play E. Skip F, play G. That gives C – E – G: a C major chord.

C major: C – E – G

F major: F – A – C

G major: G – B – D

Use fingers 1, 3, and 5 for each chord.

Play a progression

Play C, F, G, C. Four beats on each. These chords (I, IV, V, I) are the foundation of a huge number of songs.

1. Right hand only

   Play each chord with fingers 1, 3, 5. Slide your hand to the next shape.

2. Add the left hand

   With your left hand, play just the lowest note of each chord (C, F, G). Then try both hands.

Can you…

• Play a C major chord
• Play F and G major chords
• Play C – F – G – C in time