What Chords Go Together on Piano?

Introduction to Chords

Before delving into which chords go well together, it’s crucial to understand what chords are. A chord is a combination of three or more musical notes played simultaneously. On the piano, we can easily form chords by pressing multiple keys at once. The most basic type of chord is the triad, which consists of three notes. Triads are built by stacking thirds. For example, in the C major triad, we start with the note C, then add the third note above it, which is E, and then the fifth note above C, which is G. So, a C major triad is made up of the notes C, E, and G.

Types of Triads

Major Triads: These have a bright, happy sound. To form a major triad, you take the root note, add a major third (four half – steps) above the root, and then a minor third (three half – steps) above the major third. For instance, in the key of G, the G major triad consists of G (root), B (major third), and D (minor third).

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Minor Triads: They have a more somber, sadder tone compared to major triads. A minor triad is formed by taking the root note, adding a minor third (three half – steps) above the root, and then a major third (four half – steps) above the minor third. In the key of A, the A minor triad is made up of A (root), C (minor third), and E (major third).

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Diminished Triads: Diminished triads have a tense, dissonant sound. They are formed by stacking two minor thirds on top of the root note. For example, in the key of B, the B diminished triad consists of B (root), D (minor third), and F (minor third).

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Augmented Triads: Augmented triads have an open, unstable sound. They are created by stacking two major thirds on top of the root note. In the key of C, the C augmented triad is C (root), E (major third), and G# (major third).

Chord Progressions

A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in a particular order. The order in which chords are arranged can create different moods and musical effects.

Common Chord Progressions in Western Music

I – IV – V: This is one of the most common chord progressions in Western music, especially in pop, rock, and blues. In the key of C major, the I chord is C (C – E – G), the IV chord is F (F – A – C), and the V chord is G (G – B – D). This progression gives a sense of stability, tension, and resolution. The I chord is the tonic, which represents stability. The IV chord provides a bit of tension, and the V chord creates a strong pull towards the I chord, leading to a satisfying resolution. For example, many classic pop songs like “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles use this I – IV – V progression.

I – V – vi – IV: Another very popular progression, often referred to as the “four – chord wonder.” In the key of C major, the I is C, the V is G, the vi is Am (A – C – E), and the IV is F. This progression can be heard in countless hit songs across various genres. It has a balanced and catchy feel. For instance, “Love Story” by Taylor Swift uses this chord progression.

ii – V – I: This is a common jazz progression. In the key of C major, the ii chord is Dm (D – F – A), the V is G, and the I is C. The ii – V part creates a strong sense of tension that is resolved by the I chord. Jazz standards like “So What” by Miles Davis often feature this progression.

Understanding Key Signatures and Chords

The key signature of a piece of music determines which notes are sharp or flat throughout the piece. Each key has a set of chords that are commonly used within it.

Major Keys

C Major: The key of C major has no sharps or flats in its key signature. The primary chords in C major are the I (C), IV (F), and V (G) chords, as mentioned earlier. Additionally, the ii (Dm), iii (Em), and vi (Am) chords are also commonly used. The vii° (B diminished) chord is used less frequently but can add an interesting dissonance when incorporated.

G Major: The key of G major has one sharp (F#) in its key signature. The I chord is G, the IV is C, and the V is D. The ii chord is Am, the iii is Bm, and the vi is Em. The vii° chord is F# diminished.

F Major: The key of F major has one flat (Bb) in its key signature. The I chord is F, the IV is Bb, and the V is C. The ii chord is Gm, the iii is Am, and the vi is Dm. The vii° chord is E diminished.

Minor Keys

A Minor: A minor is the relative minor of C major. It has no sharps or flats in its key signature. The primary chords in A minor are the i (Am), iv (Dm), and v (Em). The ii° (B diminished), III (C), and VI (F) chords are also used. In minor keys, the v chord is often a minor chord, but in some cases, it can be made major (V) for a different harmonic effect.

E Minor: E minor has one sharp (F#) in its key signature. The i chord is Em, the iv is Am, and the v is Bm. The ii° (C# diminished), III (D), and VI (A) chords are used in this key.

D Minor: D minor has one flat (Bb) in its key signature. The i chord is Dm, the iv is Gm, and the v is Am. The ii° (E diminished), III (F), and VI (Bb) chords are part of the D minor key.

Factors Affecting Chord Combinations

Voice Leading: Voice leading refers to the way individual notes move from one chord to the next. Smooth voice leading makes the transition between chords sound natural and pleasant. When changing chords, try to keep as many notes the same as possible between consecutive chords. For example, when moving from a C major chord (C – E – G) to a G major chord (G – B – D), the G note is common to both chords. By keeping this note sustained or smoothly transitioning it, the chord change will sound more seamless.

Harmonic Function: Chords have different harmonic functions within a key. The tonic chord (I) provides stability, the subdominant chord (IV) creates a sense of tension that can lead to the dominant chord (V), and the dominant chord (V) has a strong pull towards the tonic chord (I). Understanding these functions helps in creating effective chord progressions. For example, a progression that goes from I – IV – V – I makes musical sense because it follows the natural flow of harmonic tension and resolution.

Melody Consideration: The melody of a piece plays a crucial role in determining which chords to use. The notes of the melody should blend well with the chords being played. One way to do this is to choose chords that contain the notes of the melody. For instance, if the melody note is E in the key of C major, chords like C (C – E – G), Em (E – G – B), or Am (A – C – E) would be good choices as they all contain the note E.

Advanced Chord Concepts

Seventh Chords: Seventh chords are more complex than triads as they add a fourth note, the seventh above the root. There are different types of seventh chords, such as major seventh (e.g., Cmaj7: C – E – G – B), dominant seventh (e.g., G7: G – B – D – F), minor seventh (e.g., Dm7: D – F – A – C), and half – diminished seventh (e.g., Bm7b5: B – D – F – A). Seventh chords can add more color and richness to chord progressions. For example, using a G7 chord instead of a G major chord in a I – IV – V progression can create a stronger sense of tension and a more interesting harmonic sound.

Extended Chords: Extended chords go beyond the basic triad and seventh chords. They include ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords. For example, a C9 chord consists of C – E – G – B – D. Extended chords are often used in jazz and some modern music styles to add a more sophisticated and complex harmonic palette.

Modulation: Modulation is the process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music. This can be done gradually or abruptly. When modulating, it’s important to choose chords that can smoothly transition from the old key to the new key. For example, a common way to modulate from C major to G major is to use the V chord of the new key (D in G major) as a pivot chord. Starting in C major, if we play a D7 chord (the V7 of G), it can lead us smoothly into the key of G major.

Practical Exercises for Chord Combinations

Chord Progression Writing: Start by choosing a key, say C major. Write down a simple melody, just a few notes to start with. Then, try to find chords that fit the melody. Experiment with different chord progressions like I – IV – V, I – V – vi – IV, etc. Play the melody with the chords on the piano to see how they sound together.

Transposing Chord Progressions: Take a known chord progression, such as the I – IV – V in C major. Then, transpose it to other keys, like G major or F major. This will help you understand how chords work in different keys and how the relationships between them remain consistent.

Listening Analysis: Listen to your favorite songs. Try to identify the chord progressions used. You can use a piano or guitar to play along and figure out the chords by ear. Analyzing the chord progressions in songs you like will give you a better sense of what works in different musical styles.

Conclusion

Understanding which chords go together on the piano is a fundamental skill for any pianist. By grasping the basics of chords, chord progressions, key signatures, and the factors that affect chord combinations, you can create beautiful, harmonious music. Whether you’re playing pop, jazz, classical, or any other genre, the knowledge of chord combinations will enhance your playing and musical creativity. Keep practicing, experimenting, and listening to music to further develop your understanding of this essential aspect of piano playing.