C Piano Chords PDF
There are many different types of chords on the piano. Let’s look at seventeen different C piano chords using this C Chords PDF. Get your copy below:
How to Build These Chords:
C major = C – E – G
Major chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C minor = C – E♭ – G
Minor chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third note is lowered 1/2 step.
C augmented = C – E – G♯
Augmented chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the fifth note is raised 1/2 step.
C diminished = C – E♭ – G♭
Diminished chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and fifth notes are lowered 1/2 step.
C second = C – D – E – G
Second chords are built using the first, second, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C minor second = C – D – E♭ – G
Minor second chords are built using the first, second, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third note is lowered 1/2 step.
C suspended second = C – D – G
Suspended second chords are built using the first, second and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C suspended fourth = C – F – G
Suspended fourth chords are built using the first, fourth and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C fifth = C – G
Fifth chords are built using the first and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
C sixth = C – E – G – A
Sixth chords are built using the first, third, fifth and sixth notes of the matching major scale.
C minor sixth = C – E♭ – G – A
Minor sixth chords are built using the first, third, fifth and sixth notes of the matching major scale, but the third note is lowered 1/2 step.
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, etc.).
C seventh = C – E – G – B♭
Seventh chords are built using the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of the matching major scale, but the seventh note is lowered 1/2 step.
C minor seventh = C – E♭ – G – B♭
Minor seventh chords are built using the first, third, fifth and seventh notes of the matching major scale, but the third and seventh notes are lowered 1/2 step.
C major seventh = C – E – G – B
Major seventh chords are built using the first, third, fifth and seventh notes of the matching major scale.
C ninth = C – E – G – B♭ – D
Ninth chords are built using the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth notes of the matching major scale, but the seventh note is lowered 1/2 step.
C minor ninth = C – E♭ – G – B♭ – D
Minor ninth chords are built using the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and seventh notes are lowered 1/2 step.
C major ninth = C – E – G – B – D
Major ninth chords are built using the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth notes of the matching major scale.
Conclusion
Using piano chords is a great way to learn and enjoy the piano! Chords reveal the patterns on the piano, and we can use those patterns again and again to play many different types of chords.
Dear Ms Swihart, you’ve even got a fan in The Netherlands! I was searching on the internet for a good basic learning program for the piano … and I found it! I just wanted to say: thank you for taking the time to create this website and putting your time and effort in to it. It gave me a great boost to start using my piano for real, instead of just looking at it (for over 6 years). A nice, step by step introduction to the piano done with great enthusiasm, energy and with a Spiritual touch. Again: thank you so much!
What an encouraging comment, thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear you’re inspired to start playing your piano!
Querida Sra. Julie, seu trabalho e esforco chegaram ate mim, com a graça de Deus, desejo aprender teclado e agora estou com coragem.pra começar. Tenho 61 anos, por favor me ajude! Gratidão!
I’m so glad you’re ready to learn the piano! You can do it! A good place to start would be to read through the posts in order under the “Start/Learn Piano” tab of the blog menu. This will take you through many fundamentals for learning to play the piano with chords. Enjoy!
Wow… This is great a material for beginners
I’m so glad it’s helpful!
Thank you, Julie May God Bless. Thanks for helping me fulfil my dream. I still have a long way to go but your help is so appreciated
You’re welcome Cindy, I’m glad it’s helpful!
How can I apply the chords in music
Sometimes chord progressions will use these different chord types in the progression, but if you’re working with a chord progression that only uses major or minor chords, you could experiment with using some of these chords as chord substitutions. So if the chord progression calls for a C major chord, you could play a Csus2 or a C5 or a C6 chord if you like the sound of it.
Thank you for this very instructive lessons. I’ve learned a lot from it and the principles contained in it.
You’re welcome, I’m so glad to hear that!