Member Library • Chord Training

All Major Chords By Color

Major chords are much easier to learn when you stop thinking of them as twelve completely separate shapes. The white and black keys create visual patterns that let you organize major triads into simple groups. Learn the shape, play the chords in that group, then use the jam lesson to get them into your hands.

8 Video Lessons Major Triads Visual Chord Groups Includes Jam Practice
Lesson Playlist Learn the shape, then jam with it.
White • White • White
White • Black • White
Black • White • Black
The Other Shapes
Lesson 1 • Learn the Shape

White • White • White

Practice tip: Don't just memorize the chord names. Look at the keyboard and memorize the picture. The goal is to recognize the shape before you have time to calculate every individual note.

Major Triad Groups

Use this as a quick visual reference while working through the videos. Play each group several times and notice what the keys look like underneath your hand.

White • White • White

C = C E G
F = F A C
G = G B D

White • Black • White

D = D F♯ A
E = E G♯ B
A = A C♯ E

Black • White • Black

D♭ = D♭ F A♭
E♭ = E♭ G B♭
A♭ = A♭ C E♭

Black • Black • Black

F♯ = F♯ A♯ C♯
G♭ = G♭ B♭ D♭

Black • White • White

B♭ = B♭ D F

White • Black • Black

B = B D♯ F♯