Piano chords
Pick a root note and a chord type. The keys light up, and Hear it plays the chord.
Tip: turn your phone sideways for more keys.
How chords are built
A chord is three or more notes played together. The note a chord is named after is the root. The other notes are counted in semitones (half steps) from the root.
| Chord | Semitones from the root | Example on C |
|---|---|---|
| Major | 0, 4, 7 | C E G |
| Minor | 0, 3, 7 | C E♭ G |
| Seventh (dominant 7) | 0, 4, 7, 10 | C E G B♭ |
| Major seventh | 0, 4, 7, 11 | C E G B |
| Minor seventh | 0, 3, 7, 10 | C E♭ G B♭ |
The only difference between a major and a minor chord is the middle note: in minor it is one semitone lower. Major chords are often described as sounding bright and minor chords as sounding darker.
Playing a chord
On a touch screen, press the lit keys with three fingers at once. On a computer keyboard, find the letters on the keys (turn on Key letters) and press them together. For C major that is A, D and G.
A good way to start is with the three major chords C, F and G. Together they accompany a great many simple songs. Then try A minor, which uses only white keys like C major.