Learn every Piano Chord Quickly in 2 Steps

Understanding chords on the piano is crucial for accelerating your music learning process. Knowing your chords helps you read music faster, learn difficult pieces more efficiently, and enhance your memorization skills. In this guide, we’ll explore two essential strategies for quickly learning every piano chord.

1. Use Simple Formulas to Build Each Chord

The first strategy is to use easy-to-remember formulas for constructing chords. This method is effective even if you have minimal music theory knowledge, providing a fast way to identify or build any chord. The beauty of this approach lies in its versatility; you can start with the name of the chord to find the notes or begin with a set of notes to determine the chord's name.

Chord Construction Formulas:

These formulas are helpful for identifying major, minor, diminished, augmented, and seventh chords:

1. Major Chords: The formula is to count four half steps from the root note to the third note and then three half steps from the third to the fifth note.
2. Minor Chords: Count three half steps from the root to the third, and then four half steps to the fifth.
3. Diminished Chords: Three half steps between each note (root to third and third to fifth).
4. Augmented Chords: Four half steps from root to third, and then four more to the fifth.
5. Seventh Chords:
   • Dominant 7th: Major chord plus a minor seventh (ten half steps from the root).
   • Minor 7th: Minor chord plus a minor seventh.
   • Major 7th: Major chord plus a major seventh (eleven half steps from the root).
   • Fully Diminished 7th: Diminished chord plus a diminished seventh.
   • Half Diminished 7th: Diminished chord plus a minor seventh.

Understanding what a half step is on the piano is fundamental to applying these formulas. A half step is the smallest interval on the keyboard, moving from one key to the next adjacent key.

While these formulas are a quick way to construct chords, they don’t provide the broader context of how chords relate within key signatures or pieces of music. However, they are invaluable for picking out chords "out of thin air" and can serve as a powerful starting point for chord identification and creation.

2. Memorize for Long-Term Retention

The second strategy focuses on memorizing chords for long-term retention. While formulas are useful for quick identification, relying solely on them is not practical for fluent chord recognition. Instead, chords should be memorized as patterns, similar to learning sight words in reading. This foundational knowledge of chords helps you recognize common patterns in music, leading to a deeper understanding and faster reading.

Steps to Memorize Chords:

1. Start Small: Begin by memorizing one chord at a time. For example, focus on the A Major chord (A, C#, E). Say the notes out loud repeatedly until you can recall them instantly.
2. Reinforce Visually and Tactilely: Play the chord on the piano in different orders and forms (blocked or arpeggiated). This reinforces the visual and tactile memory of the chord.
3. Consistent Practice: Incorporate this practice into your daily routine. Even memorizing one chord per week will accumulate into a significant repertoire over time.

Memorizing chords enhances your ability to read music fluently, as recognizing chords quickly is akin to becoming more fluent in the language of music. By following these two strategies—using simple formulas for quick identification and memorizing for long-term retention—you can master every piano chord and significantly improve your overall musicianship.

Male your music practice more efficient and enjoyable by using these FREE PDFs!

Major Scale Fingering Freebie: www.ashleejyoung.com/majorscales

Inversions freebie: www.ashleejyoung.com/inversions

To see how this method works, check out the full length tutorial on the YouTube channel where you’ll see this in action. 👇🏻