How to Play Piano Chords

This page on how to play piano chords deals directly with playing them on the piano keyboard. Everyone plays chords a little differently. You develop your own style as you play. Here are some areas to start with.

Step 1: Learn to Read Chords

Starting from scratch? Your first step is learning to read chords and what they mean.

If you need to know about chord names, you need to go to reading piano chords.

Here's a little video on how to play chords. Watch it first or second. There are also videos that cover the same things but broken up and explained a little more on the piano chord lessons page.

How To Play The Chords

The first thing to note is that you don't have to play chords all in one spot. You just need to play the notes of the chord.

For example, to play the C chord, you can play CEG or EGC or GCE or any other combo. You can even start adding other notes later on to improvise and fill things in.

I usually play the chord in the right hand. If you do this, it is easy to combine the chord notes with the melody.

In the left hand, play the root note. Some chords will specify a different bass note. For example, C/G. In this chord the G should be played in the left hand - as the lowest note.

Another thing you can do in the left hand is play a broken chord. You don't have to play all chords as a block. The important thing is play those notes of the chord.

This technique works especially for play slower songs.

At first it just takes practice. The more you practice, the more you can experiment. Learning how to play piano chords is just the beginning. The rest comes with your creativity.

Learn To Play Chords With An Online Course

If you really want to learn how to play chords, understand them and use them to play the songs you love, then check out the You Can Play Piano Chords program.

This course is designed to help you fulfill that dream of learning the play the piano, play the songs you love and do it all with a fun, easy to follow, self-paced course.

Plus, this is my signature course so I know it's good!

For a list of chords, download the free Chord Cheat Sheet below.

Free Download:

Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet

Subscribe below and get free access to the (printable) Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet.

Return from How to Play Piano Chords to Piano Lessons Info Homepage.

More pages that might help:

How to Play G Chord on Piano (G Major Chord)
How to play the G chord on piano - also known as G major chord . Explainer, note names, diagram, fingering, theory and and G/B, G/D.
D Chord on Piano + Diagram, How To & Theory
Learn how to play the D chord on piano with diagram, fingering, D/A, D/F# and a theory explainer.
30 Day Piano Chord Challenge
Join us for the 3 day piano chord challenge where you will learn a new chord every day for a month.
Capo & Piano Chords: What It Means
Wondering what to do about capos and piano chords? Here's a quick explainer for you.
Ab Piano Chord Notes, Finger Positions & How to Play It
How to play Ab piano chord with notes, inversions, chord chart, finger positions and more!
C Chord On Piano - How To Play It
Learn how to play the C chord on the piano - also known as C major chord. Included here are C chord inversions and C/E and C/G.
Playing Piano By Ear: How To Start & Playing Chords By Ear
Need help playing piano by ear? Tips on how to start and how to play chords by ear.
Db Chord Piano: Notes, Fingers & How To Play It
How to play Db chord on piano, which fingers and notes to use, plus video and pictures!
5 Piano Hand Coordination Exercises (For Beginners)
Ready to improve your piano hand coordination? Here is some tips especially for beginners to get better at this and using piano chords.
C# Piano Chord Notes, Inversions & How To Play It
Learn what notes are in the C# major chord, how to play it, what fingers to use and how to play the inversions.
How To Figure Out Chords From Scales
How to figure out chords from scales. We go over a new main types of chords and you'll learn you can figure them out from scales.
Top Tips for Filling In Piano Chords
Start filling in piano chords with these top tips and get your chords sounding fuller and more interesting.
How To Warm Up on Piano (& What To Do)
How to warm up, what to warm up with and warm up routines for piano.
How to Read Piano Chords
Learn to read piano chords and find out what they mean!
Chart of Piano Chords
A chart of piano chords - what notes go with which chord.