The Major Chord
The first thing you will need to know to start playing the Blues is some chords. There are many different types of chords, the most common being the major chord. All major chords contain three notes, taken from the major scale of the same letter name. These three notes are the 1 (first), 3 (third) and 5 (fifth) notes of the major scale, so the chord formula for the major chord is:
The C Major Chord
The C major chord is constructed from the C major scale. When the major chord formula is applied to the following C major scale, it can be seen that the C major chord contains the notes C, E and G.
The chord symbol for a major chord is just the letter name of the chord. For example, the chord symbol for the C major chord is C. It is common practice to refer to a C major chord as the C chord. This abbreviation applies to all major chords.
Play the three notes of the C chord with the first, third and fifth fingers of your right hand, individually, and then together as shown here.
When playing a chord one note at a time it is referred to as an arpeggio.
(For more information on major scales, see Progressive Keyboard Technique )
The first note from the major scale (and hence the first note of the major chord) is called the root note. When playing chords with the right hand, the left hand often plays the root note, as shown in the first example.
In example 1 the C chord is played as an arpeggio in bars 1 and 3.
Chord Diagrams
Chord shapes can be illustrated by using chord diagrams. In this book, chord diagrams will be used to illustrate each new chord.
If you are not familiar with any notes given on the stave or any terms used, please see Progressive Keyboard Technique .
The G Major Chord
The G major chord is constructed from the G major scale. When the major chord formula is applied to the G major scale, it can be seen that the G chord contains the notes G, B and D.
Play the three notes of the G chord with the first, third, and fifth fingers of your right hand, individually, and then together as shown in the following example.
The F Major Chord
The F major chord is constructed from the F major scale. When the major chord formula is applied to the F major scale, it can be seen that the F chord contains the notes F, A and C.
Play the three notes of the F chord with the first, third, and fifth fingers of your right hand, individually, and then together as shown in the next example.
