-
Step 1
Begin by learning a basic C major scale on the piano. Start on middle C on the piano keys and play all white keys until you have reached an octave.
-
Step 2
Look online or enroll in basic beginner piano or music lessons to learn some of the more major and significant scales. Use staff paper and writing out the C major scale to have a visual of what these notes look like.
-
Step 3
Identify the 1st, 3rd and 5th chord of the C major scale, C, E and G, and play these notes on the piano simultaneously to create a C major chord or triad. Note that this simultaneous playing of notes is what is commonly referred to as a harmony.
-
Step 4
Play other major scales beginning with the base note; for instance an F major scale will start on F, exactly 4 keys up or down from middle C on the piano. Note that an F chord, or F harmony will be F, E and G. Chords can also be described as every other note on the keyboard (the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th) all make up chords and are also known as intervals.
-
Step 5
Acquire a basic music theory workbook at a local music store. Search online for beginning online music lessons to learn more basic chords and further increase your understanding of harmony. Learn the difference between a major chord and a minor chord. Major chords are distinctly resonant, or happy sounding, whereas minor chords have a more dissonant or sad sound.
-
Step 6
Listen to a basic song and identify the major chord structure of the song by finding the base notes or key of the song. Pick a slower song that will be easy to identify the chord structure. Then play the basic major chord points throughout the song.
-
Step 7
Practice major chords first to get a strong background and then graduate to minor chords. Sing along with the chords or harmonize with friends to see how this theory is transferable to all other forms of music.
