Beginners · Piano
The first piano chords to learn, in order
On piano, every major and minor chord is built from the same simple pattern, so learning chords is really learning one shape and moving it around. This path starts with the white-key chords of C major and adds black keys, inversions and 7ths step by step.
- You’ll learn
- CFGAmDmEmDAEC7F7G7
- How to practice
- Take one stage at a time. Switch between the chords for one minute, counting how many clean changes you make — then try to beat it tomorrow. The chord change trainer counts for you and tracks your streak.
C, F and G
The three primary chords of C major, all on white keys and all the same hand shape: play a note, skip one white key, play the next, skip one, play the next.
Tip: Right-hand fingers 1-3-5 (thumb, middle, pinky). Keep your fingers curved, as if holding a ball.
Practice F ↔ G changes with the trainer →
Ready for more? Play along with C–F–G–F — it uses only chords you know.
A minor
Am uses the same white-key shape starting on A. With it you can play the pop progression C–G–Am–F.
Tip: Notice how Am and C share two notes (C and E) — only one finger really moves.
Practice G ↔ Am changes with the trainer →
Ready for more? Play along with C–G–Am–F — it uses only chords you know.
D minor and E minor
The last two white-key chords in C major. Now you know six of the seven chords in the key.
Tip: Play each chord, then the one a step above it — C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am — to feel how the pattern repeats.
Practice Dm ↔ Em changes with the trainer →
Ready for more? Play along with C–Am–Dm–G — it uses only chords you know.
Smooth changes with inversions
Instead of jumping your whole hand from C to F to G, play F with C on the bottom and G with B on the bottom. Same chords, but your hand barely moves — that’s what pianists do.
Tip: Turn on “Smooth” on the progression page to see these voicings in any key.
Practice F ↔ G changes with the trainer →
Ready for more? Play along with C–F–G–F — it uses only chords you know.
D, A and E major
The same shape again, but now the middle note is a black key. Your middle finger reaches in slightly further.
Tip: Compare D and Dm: only the middle note changes, from F♯ (black) to F (white).
Practice A ↔ E changes with the trainer →
Ready for more? Play along with D–G–A–G — it uses only chords you know.
C7, F7 and G7
Add one more note — the 7th — on top of each chord, and you have the three chords of a 12-bar blues in C.
Tip: Use fingers 1-2-3-5 for four-note chords.
Practice F7 ↔ G7 changes with the trainer →
Ready for more? Play along with C7–F7–G7 — it uses only chords you know.