In other words, it matches how the notes are written on the staff.Ĭheck out the scale as written in the treble clef and bass clef below: When you move up the scale, the notes get higher on the keyboard, and when you move down the scale, the notes get lower on the keyboard. It’s there to tell you that instead of playing the white (natural) B key, you go down a half-step and play the black (accidental) B♭ key. It has one flat-B-flat-which is noted with the symbol ♭ on the B lines. The F major scale begins and ends on the note F. Major and minor scales have seven notes (the bonus eighth note is a repeat of the first note and completes an octave). Scales are sequences of tones used to build harmonies and melodies. “F major chord” sounds very similar to “F major scale,” right? So let’s begin with scales to figure out the reason why that is. Now that we know what a chord looks like and why we play it, the next step is to figure out where major chords come from. Melodies tend to be more memorable, but harmonies-and chords-are what bring depth to the music you’re playing.

Usually the lead singer sings the melody, while the backup singers sing the harmonies. Why bother with chords, though? Why not play individual notes? Take a moment to think about your favorite songs. All of the notes in one column or chord should be played simultaneously before moving on to the next column or chord. In the image below, the chords each consist of three notes stacked in a column. Harmonies support melodies, or the main sequences of notes in a piece of music. If you’re just beginning to learn piano, you might be asking which of these is a chord? Well, here’s a quick rundown:Ī chord is made of two or more layered notes which are played at the same time to create harmony.

Where do we start? Sheet music can be pretty difficult to read, especially with the avalanche of unfamiliar symbols and words scattered across various pages. Let’s begin with the basics–what exactly is a piano chord? What Is A Chord?

F Major e Flat Major