Piano Chord Dictionary
Explore triads, sevenths, inversions, and keyboard positions with real acoustic studio sound.
C Major (C)
Root in the bass.
C# Major (C#)
Root in the bass.
D Major (D)
Root in the bass.
Eb Major (Eb)
Root in the bass.
E Major (E)
Root in the bass.
F Major (F)
Root in the bass.
F# Major (F#)
Root in the bass.
G Major (G)
Root in the bass.
Ab Major (Ab)
Root in the bass.
A Major (A)
Root in the bass.
Bb Major (Bb)
Root in the bass.
B Major (B)
Root in the bass.
How to use it
How to Read a Piano Chord Diagram
Each diagram shows a section of the keyboard with white and black keys. The lit-up dots are the keys you should press.
The numbers are the fingers of your right hand.
The Keys and Fingers
- The white keys are the natural notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. The black keys are the altered notes, sharps (#) or flats (b).
- The numbers are the fingers of your right hand. 1 is the thumb, 2 the index, 3 the middle, 4 the ring, and 5 the little finger.
- For a triad in root position, use fingers 1 - 3 - 5.
- For four-note chords, or sevenths, you usually use 1 - 2 - 3 - 5 or 1 - 2 - 4 - 5.
Notes and Inversions
- Root position. The tonic, the note that gives the chord its name, is the lowest note.
- First inversion. The third moves to the bass, and the tonic moves up an octave. This is usually played with 1 - 2 - 5.
- Second inversion. The fifth is the lowest note. This is usually played with 1 - 3 - 5 or 1 - 2 - 4.
Where to Start
Start with white-key triads: C Major (C), F Major (F), G Major (G), A minor (Am), D minor (Dm), and E minor (Em).
Press play to hear the actual chord and train your ear.
Complete Piano Chord Index (A-Z)
All 69 chords in the dictionary grouped by root note. The 24 major and minor triads link to dedicated study guides with full fingerings; sevenths, suspended, and diminished chords open directly in the interactive keyboard.
C
D
E
F
G
A
The 12 Essential Keyboard Triads
| Chord | Notes | Fingers | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Major (C) | C - E - G | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Major |
| D Major (D) | D - F# - A | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Major |
| E Major (E) | E - G# - B | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Major |
| F Major (F) | F - A - C | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Major |
| G Major (G) | G - B - D | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Major |
| A Major (A) | A - C# - E | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Major |
| B Major (B) | B - D# - F# | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Major |
| C Minor (Cm) | C - Eb - G | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Minor |
| D Minor (Dm) | D - F - A | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Minor |
| E Minor (Em) | E - G - B | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Minor |
| F Minor (Fm) | F - Ab - C | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Minor |
| G Minor (Gm) | G - Bb - D | 1 - 3 - 5 (Thumb, Middle, Pinky) | Minor |