Second Chords

Let’s look at how to play an F sharp 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. We can build a major chord 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 an F Sharp 2 Chord

So to build an F sharp 2 chord, we’ll start by building an F sharp major chord. We can build an F sharp major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the F sharp major scale: F♯ – A♯ – C♯

Then we’ll add the second note of the scale to the chord: G♯

So to play an F sharp 2 chord, we’ll play:

F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – C♯

We can use this pattern to build any other second chord. We’ll first 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. An add9 chord is a major chord with an added note. The added note is the ninth note of the scale. Since scales only have eight notes, to add the ninth note, we can repeat the scale into the next octave. The ninth note is the same as the second note of the scale, just one octave up. So an add9 chord and a second chord have the same notes, just in a different order.

F♯2: F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – C♯
F♯add9: F♯ – A♯ – C♯ – G♯

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 play an F sharp 2 chord on the piano, and you can use that knowledge to build any other second chord!

Second chords can sometimes be used as chord substitutions in place of major chords, because the added second note adds some nice depth to the major chord.

I hope you enjoy using second chords at the piano!