How to Switch From Major to Minor Keys on Piano

The piano has 10,000 movable parts, including 52 white keys and 36 black keys. The way you strike those keys determines the song you play and the way it sounds. For example, a minor key evokes a suspenseful or depressing mood, and a major key sounds more positive. You can easily switch from major to minor keys on piano, if you have first learned the scales of the keys.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Place your left hand on the C, E and G keys on the piano, in the octave below middle C.

2. Position your right hand on the C, E and G keys on the piano, in the octave beginning at middle C.

3. Play both octaves of the C, E and G notes with both hands. This is the major chord for the key of C.

4. Switch to the minor chord in the key of C by placing your left hand on the C, E flat and G keys in the octave below middle C. Position your right hand on the C, E flat and G keys in the octave beginning at middle C.

5. Strike the C, E flat and G notes in both octaves with both hands. This is the minor chord in the key of C.

6. Continue working your way up the keyboard. Switch from major to minor keys so that you play both octaves of each chord for all the keys, C through B.

Tips & Warnings

• Switching from major to minor keys on a piano is a simple matter of going down a half-step on the third note of each chord. Those are the flats; the same black keys going up the scale a half step are the sharps.

Resources

• Instruction about chords, keys and more at Free Online Piano Lessons
• Piano Fun offers a free online lesson for those playing by ear.