Question about piano chords?

Question

I asked this a while ago, but this will better explain it. I want to know how to play a chord correctly.

My book says a "C" chord is "G, 3 keys up to C, 2 keys up to E, at once.

Or is it like this for a C chord

"C", 2 keys up "E" 2 keys up "G"

I am going by 2 different sources and dont know which is right, i know they are both a "C", but they are both played differently, G, C, E - or C, E, G

This goes for the others as well

Answer 1

depends on what chord you are playing

Answer 2

The chord on the piano and guitar are the same as far as I'm concerned. I play both guitar and keyboard and after using the link you supplied can say that those chords work with both. The only difference I can see on the chords shown on the ultimate-guitar site is the capo on fret three. In order for the keyboard notes to sound the same key as the guitar you will have to transpose the chords up three steps (use the provision they include on the site). I suggest that if you write down the individual notes that make up each chord on the guitar, you will then be able to play these on the keyboard. If you don't want to do that then leave the capo off and play it in the key of G. Hope this makes sense, regards DC.

Answer 3

A C Major chord has the notes C, E, and G, in any order. It is easiest to see pattern of how major chords are built by learning them all in root position: C-E-G. However, it's really physically inconvenient to jump all over the piano to play everything in root position when you are actually playing a song, plus it sounds boring. So, for "real life" playing, you also need to get used to playing the chords with their notes in any order. The musical term for this is called "inverting" the chord.

For example, it's pretty common to have to play a C chord followed by a G chord, or vice versa. Try jumping between G-B-D with G on the bottom, to C-E-G with C on the bottom, and go back and forth a few times. Now imagine you're playing a melody line with the other hand. It's going to sound choppy jumping from one chord to another and you're also going to miss sometimes unless you stare at your hands or have a lot of experience. But if you go from G-B-D with G on the bottom to G-C-E with G on the bottom, see how easy that is, and how much better it sounds? You're still going from a G chord to a C chord, it's just easier. You can also go from B-D-G with B on the bottom to C-E-G with C on the bottom, and that's also going from a G chord to a C chord, another safe, easy way to do it that sounds good.

Answer 4

They're both the triads in the chord of C, just starting at different points. G is the major 5th in a C chord.. it just achieves a slightly different sound.

So use whichever you like the sound of best. Strictly C-E-G is the "correct" triad. But to play the chord of C you can play any number of the appropriate notes simultaneously, starting on the 1st, 3rd or 5th.

Answer 5

It makes no difference what note is in the bottom or top until you get into voice-leading and more harmonic theory. You're talking about inversions of the same chord.

The C-chord triad is C-E-G, with a C on top again. That's root position.

1st inversion is E-G-C

2nd inversion is G-C-E

As long as those 3 notes are played, it's a C-chord.

Root position is harmonically "strongest", 1st inversion weaker, and 2nd weakest.

Answer 6

Both are c major chords. C E G is the "root" chord, with c at the bottom.
Your book is giving you the 2nd inversion (GCE) of the chord. The 1st inversion is EGC.

Answer 7

The C Chord is correctly CEG, regardless of how you count the keys.

C Major is C E G
C Minor is C E-flat G

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

Find a music teacher. It's quicker.

Answer 10

as you see it C E G. but you can use different combinations