Chord type
Major Chords on Piano
The major chord is the most fundamental chord in music, a three-note triad built from the root, major third, and perfect fifth. It has a bright, happy, and stable sound that forms the harmonic foundation of virtually all Western music.
Pick a key to hear and see it below. Each key opens a full reference entry with a keyboard diagram, audio, inversions, fingerings, and notation.
Featured key
C Major Chord
Notes: C - E - G
Choose a key
Open the full C Major Chord reference ›Formula: Root – Major 3rd – Perfect 5th
Intervals: 4 semitones + 3 semitones (from root)
Scale degrees: 1–3–5
Sound: Bright, happy, stable, resolved
Symbol: Just the letter name (C, D, E etc.)
Building major chords: Start on any note (the root). Go up 4 semitones to find the major third. Go up 3 more semitones to find the perfect fifth. This 4+3 pattern works for every major chord on the keyboard.
Major Chord in All 18 Keys
All 18 spellings, ♯ and ♭ keys listed separately.
Select any key to see notes, the interactive keyboard, inversions, fingering, and practice tips.
C Major ChordNotes: C – E – GC♯ Major ChordNotes: C♯ – E♯ – G♯D♭ Major ChordNotes: D♭ – F – A♭D Major ChordNotes: D – F♯ – AD♯ Major ChordNotes: D♯ – F♯♯ – A♯E♭ Major ChordNotes: E♭ – G – B♭E Major ChordNotes: E – G♯ – BF Major ChordNotes: F – A – CF♯ Major ChordNotes: F♯ – A♯ – C♯G♭ Major ChordNotes: G♭ – B♭ – D♭G Major ChordNotes: G – B – DG♯ Major ChordNotes: G♯ – B♯ – D♯A♭ Major ChordNotes: A♭ – C – E♭A Major ChordNotes: A – C♯ – EA♯ Major ChordNotes: A♯ – C♯♯ – E♯B♭ Major ChordNotes: B♭ – D – FB Major ChordNotes: B – D♯ – F♯C♭ Major ChordNotes: C♭ – E♭ – G♭