“What is the best way to learn how to play chords?”

Beginning musicians often ask us, “what is a chord, and what is the quickest and best way to learn chords?” For someone new to the musical world, diving straight into playing chords can be difficult and frustrating, so much so that it drives some to the point of quitting! Everybody learns differently and on varying levels, but by understanding the basics of chords, following some musical theory and practicing regularly, musical chords can be added to any player’s repertoire in no time!

What is a chord?

Musical chords are universal, and can be played on any instrument, adding depth, melody and versatility to compositions. In musical terms a chord can be defined as two or more notes usually played in unison. Chords are played in various harmonic categories, most commonly major and minor, all the way through to seventh and diminished, for example. When you start out you will generally play all of the notes that make up a chord in one go, but you don’t always have to play every note. Notes can be played individually in sequence, known as an arpeggio, or as broken chords – by playing only select notes from a chord.

The C major chord

Let’s start with our first basic chord. Here is an example of a C major chord, shown in the staff notation image below. It contains three notes: C, E, and GA major chord sequence is made up of the 1st note (or root note), a 3rd note, and a 5th note. They’re named this way because of their distance from the first note of the chord. At the basic level, this makes up what is known as a triad. This is a grouping of notes that are stacked in thirds (three semitones apart).

what is a chord - C-MajorThe Arpeggio

Shown below is another example of playing the C major chord using the arpeggio technique, i.e., holding the shape of the chord, but playing notes individually. This is a great technique to understand and play, it can add interest and melody to your playing.

what is a chord - C Major Arpeggio
Putting it all together

One of the keys to learning chords quickly is to know the single notes that make up each chord. If you regularly practice and can easily find every note in any particular scale on your instrument (without thinking), you can focus on the next important step to mastering chords: the finger positioning. Coordinating where the notes are on a fretboard, keyboard or fingerboard as well as finding where to put your fingers is arguably one of the most difficult aspects of learning chords. But don’t fret – we’re here to help!

In the image below you can see a C major scale. By memorizing each note in this scale, as well as the fingers that play each note, it will be easier to find the notes that make up a C major chord and the position of your fingers to play in unison.

what is a chord - C major scale

Now we’ll put this into practice. Lets look at a piano keyboard for example. Find the C note with your first finger, followed by the E note with your middle finger, and finally the G note with your ring finger. Play them together and congratulations! You have a simple C major chord!

Try this technique with some more simple chords by keeping the same shape between your thumb and fingers, but moving your thumb to the name of the chord. Try A minor, D minor and G major. These principles aren’t just restricted to the piano, it can apply to most musical instruments.

what is a chord Am Dm G

As we always say here at Learn to Play Music, keep practicing, and most of all, have fun!

About the Author

Thomas Hofmeyer is a guitarist, vocalist and sound engineer from Adelaide, South Australia. Having studied guitar and music for much of his life, Thomas has been involved in many local bands performing regularly on the Adelaide gigging circuit, and has also worked as an engineer and assistant for some studio projects. Thomas is qualified with a Certificate III in Music Industry Electronic Music Production (SAE) and Diploma in Music Industry (TAFE SA). For a number of years he was the resident live sound engineer at a live Adelaide bay area venue. Thomas is currently employed as head of Audio Post at LearnToPlayMusic.com.

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