Julie Swihart

Second Chords

Let’s look at how to play an E2 chord on the piano. We’ll also look at 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 (learn how to build a major scale here).

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 34-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note (C, D, E, etc.) and type (major, minor, augmented, diminished, etc.).

Get the Printable

How to Play an E2 Chord

To build an E2 chord, we’ll start by building an E major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the E major scale: E – G♯ – B

Then to convert the E major chord into an E2 chord, we’ll add the second note of the E major scale: F♯

So to play an E2 chord, we’ll play:

E – F♯ – G♯ – B

We can use this pattern to build any other second chord on the piano!

All we have to do is build a major chord, then add the second note of the matching major scale.

Second chords use the same notes as “add9” chords. An add9 chord is a major chord with an added major ninth. A major ninth is the same note as the second note of the scale, just one octave up. So the Eadd9 and E2 chords have the same notes, just in a different order.
Eadd9: E – G♯ – B – F♯
E2: E – F♯ – G♯ – B

Other Chord Types

Some other chord types you 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 an E2 chord on the piano, and you can use that knowledge to build any other second chord!

Second chords can make nice chord substitutions for major chords, since the added second note works well for many songs, and can often be added spontaneously.