If you want a faster way to build any major or minor chord on the keyboard, this may be the solution.
Instead of using the WWHWWWH rule, let’s break it down into ALL half steps. This eliminates thinking about Whole and Half. Everything is in halves now.
Rule #1 – “Major chords are 4-3.” That’s it. That’s all you have to remember. From the first (or “root”) note, you count 4 half-steps, and add that note to the root note. Then you count 3 half steps, and play that note. Play the three notes, C, E, G, together, and you’ve got your major chord.
Rule #2 – “Minor chords are 3-4.” From the root, you count 3 half-steps and add that note, making your dyad (two note chord). Now count 4 half-steps and add that note making your triad (three note chord). This creation is a minor chord.
Try this on the keyboard. It’s truly a massive timesaver, and it still works on the WWHWWWH principle. We are just counting EVERY half step instead of counting whole steps, then half steps, then whole steps again.
Choose your methods, and enjoy playing the piano!
Watch the video below to see how this works on the piano.