Chords for Major Keys
Let’s find all the chords belonging to the key of G major. The chords in the key of G are used to play songs in the key of G.
How to Find the Chords for G Major
To find the chords for the key of G major, we first need to build a G major scale. You can learn how to build a G major scale here.
The notes of a G major scale are:
G – A – B – C – D – E – F♯ – G
Now we’ll build a three-note chord off each note of the scale, counting “1 – 3 – 5” to build each chord. We’ll use the notes of the scale to build the chords.
To build the first, chord, we’ll start on a G, and count “1 – 3 – 5”, using the notes of the scale to build the chord. This gives us: G – B – D.
To find the next chord, we’ll start on A, and count “1 – 3 – 5”, using the notes of the scale to build the chord. This gives us: A – C – E.
Then we’ll start on B, and using the notes of the scale, we’ll count “1 – 3 – 5”, to get our third chord: B – D – F♯.
We can continue this pattern of building three-note chords off each note of the G major scale, using the notes of the scale to build the chords.
Chords for G Major
Here are the chords for the key of G:
B – D – F♯ = B minor chord
E – G – B = E minor chord
F♯ – A – C = F♯ diminished chord
Other Major Key Chords
You can find chords for the other major keys below:
C Major Chords
D Major Chords
A Major Chords
E Major Chords
B Major Chords
F Sharp Major Chords
C Sharp Major Chords
F Major Chords
B Flat Major Chords
E Flat Major Chords
A Flat Major Chords
D Flat Major Chords
G Flat Major Chords
C Flat Major Chords
Labeling the Chords
You may have noticed that the chords we found in the key of G major were either major, minor or diminished. In order to understand these different kinds of “1 – 3 – 5” chords, you’ll want to read this post on piano intervals.
To summarize, there are four types of “1 – 3 – 5” chords (also called “triads”):
Major
Minor
Augmented
Diminished
A major chord is built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
A minor chord is a major chord with the middle note lowered 1/2 step.
An augmented chord is a major chord with the upper note raised 1/2 step.
A diminished chord is a minor chord with the upper note lowered 1/2 step.
When we build a triad off each note of a major scale, using the notes of the scale to build the chords, we’ll always get these chords in this order:
Major
Minor
Minor
Major
Major
Minor
Diminished
Once you know this pattern, you can use it to help you identify the chords belonging to other major keys!
Primary Chords for G Major
Each major key has three “primary” chords, built off the first, fourth and fifth notes of the major scale.
For the key of G major, this means the three primary chords are:
These three chords will show up a lot in songs written in the key of G major, and you’ll probably use them often when creating chord progressions in this key.
Conclusion
Now you know how to find the chords for G major on the piano, and you can use that knowledge to help you build and identify the chords belonging to other major keys! Have fun!
Hello Julie,
I am not a piano player, but so much of what you say in your clearly written posts is of relevance and interest to me as a guitarist learning to read music..
Thank you so much for all the time and effort you have given to make scales and chords clear for me.
Cheers!
Alan
You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear you’re applying it to the guitar and finding it useful!