Second Chords

Let’s look at how to play a D flat 2 chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any other second chord.

What Are Second Chords?

Second chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the second note of the matching major scale.

So to play a second chord, we’ll start with a major chord. Major chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.

Then to convert the major chord into a second chord, we’ll add the second note of the matching major scale.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 35-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note and type.

Get the Printable

How to Play a D Flat 2 Chord

Now let’s build a D flat 2 chord on the piano. First we’ll build a D flat major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the D flat major scale: D♭ – F – A♭

Then we’ll add the second note of the D flat major scale to the chord: E

So to play a D flat 2 chord, we’ll play:

D♭ – E♭ – F – A♭

We can use this pattern to build any other second chord. First we’ll build a major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale. Then we’ll add the second note of the scale to the chord.

Add9 Chords

Second chords use the same notes as “add9” chords. Add9 chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the ninth note of the scale. But since scales only have eight notes, the ninth note is the same as the second note of the scale, just one octave up.

This means the D flat 2 chord and the D flat add9 chords will have the same notes, just in a different order:
D♭add9: D♭ – F – A♭ – E♭
D♭2: D♭ – E♭ – F – A♭

Other Chord Types

Some of the other chord types we can learn are:

Major
Minor
Augmented
Diminished
Minor Second
Suspended
Fifth
Sixth
Minor Sixth
Seventh
Minor Seventh
Major Seventh
Ninth
Minor Ninth
Major Ninth

Conclusion

Now you know how to build a D flat 2 chord on the piano, and you can use this knowledge to build any other second chord!

Adding the second note to a major chord often works well where major chords are called for, since the second note can make the major chord sound more rich and full.

I hope you enjoy using these chords in your own music!