How to Remember the Chords

by Nelson J. Newhard

Very often piano pupils who have studied for two or three years are unable to play offhand all the major and minor chords. They may know all the sharp chords, but know nothing about the flat chords or vice versa. After studying each chord alone, a good way to keep all the chords in mind is to play them occasionally in succession. Play the C major chord with both hands three octaves above the middle C, followed by the G chord, one sharp (playing downward, of course); then the D chord, two sharps; then A chord, three sharps; then E chord, four sharps; then B chord, five sharps and then F sharp chord six sharps. You will notice by playing the chords in this way that the left hand is always in position to play the next chord following. To play the flat chords in succession, it will be necessary to play the chord with all the necessary to play the chord with all the flats first, viz.: G flat chord, followed by D flat chord, A flat, E flat, B flat and F chords. After these are mastered the minor chords can be taken up in the same way. This is good ground work for arpeggios. Any good work on scales and arpeggios will give these chords complete.