Chords

GUIDE

Major and minor triads

Every major and minor chord, in all three positions. Then progressions that use inversions to keep your hand still.

  • A major chord is the root, then 4 semitones up, then 3 more.
  • A minor chord is the root, then 3 semitones up, then 4 more.
  • An inversion uses the same three notes but puts a different one at the bottom.
  • Slash names such as C/E mean “C chord, with E at the bottom”. You will see these on chord charts.
Root position
C
C – E – G
Fingers 1, 3, 5 (bottom to top)
middle C135
1st inversion
C/E
E – G – C
Fingers 1, 2, 5 (bottom to top)
middle C125
2nd inversion
C/G
G – C – E
Fingers 1, 3, 5 (bottom to top)
middle C135

Exercises

  1. EXERCISE 1C – F – G – C, without moving

    This is one of the most common progressions in Western music. With inversions, your hand barely moves.

  2. EXERCISE 2C – G – Am – F

    These four chords are in hundreds of pop songs. Each change moves only one or two fingers.

  3. EXERCISE 3Am – Dm – E – Am

    A minor-key progression. The E major chord adds a G sharp, which leads back to A minor.