How to Play a Root Position Piano Chord

The chord is the basic harmonic unit in music. The simplest chords, known as triads, consist of three different notes. Each of these notes is separated by a specific interval, or number of half-steps. Although you can also play a chord in its inversions, you'll usually play it in root position.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pick a chord you'd like to play. It can be a major, minor, diminished, augmented, seventh or any other kind of chord.

2. Learn the notes in the chord. As an example, let's consider the C major chord. It has the notes C, E and G in it.

3. Choose an octave on the piano where you want to place the chord. Most piano chords tend to sound best in the octaves surrounding middle C.

4. Place your fingers on the piano keys that correspond to the notes in the chord. In our example, your thumb, index and ring fingers would go on C, E and G respectively.

5. Lift your entire hand off of the piano, then drop it down to depress the keys. The three notes should ring out at exactly the same time. If they don't, find out which of your fingers was off and try the chord again.

Tips & Warnings

• Use whatever fingering's the most comfortable to play piano chords. Exercise books and sheet music sometimes come with recommended fingerings, but they're really up to you.
• Practice playing root position chords with both hands. This comes in handy for jazz and classical music, which often have accompaniment chords in the left hand and melodies in the right.