Simple way to construct and remember chords

Chord formation : Let us not bother too much about why and how chords were desig
ned and formed in the very first place. That needs lot of learning, patience and
time. I suppose the friends, whom I am addressing to, have neither the time nor
the patience to go through the detailed theory and the conventional way of lear
ning.
This holds good for people who want to play for fun & enjoyment. However it is a
lways beneficial to learn in detail if one has to master it as a professional.
A chord is a group of 3 or more notes (keys) that are played at the same time. T
hree note chords are generally referred to as triads. There are four types of tr
iads( 3 note chords):
Major Chords
Minor Chords
Diminished Chords
Augmented Chords
We have 12 notes (keys) and hence 12 chords of each type. i.e. there are mainly
48 traids (3 note chords).
Major chords:
Let us use a simple formula to find the 3 notes to form the Major chords (traids
). Suppose you want C Major chord then C is the root note. To find the 2nd note,
count the 4th key from C i.e E ( C# > D > D# > E) Similarly find the 3rd note b
y counting the 3rd key from E i.e. G (F > F# > G).
Hence the C Major chord is C E G
Now go ahead and build your own major chords. Spend some time and do it yourself
. Please believe me, this way you will remember the chords better and will thank
me in future.

Inversion of chords:
The 3 notes can be played in two different sequences apart from the main sequenc
e of notes. These are called inversions.
C E G can be held down (played) in 2 other sequences called inversions as E G C
and G C E
As C is the root key of C Major chord it can be played in root position, in top
position and middle position.
The fingering for traids will be 5 3 1 (left hand) and 1 3 5 (right hand). Count
1 for thumb to 5 for pinky.
1st inversion 2nd inversion
C E G E G C G C E
Left hand 5 3 1 5 3 1 5 2 1
Right hand 1 3 5 1 2 5 1 3 5
Minor chords:
F is the root note for F minor scale (Fm), To find 2nd note, count 3rd key from
F i.e. G# (F# > G > G#) and find the 3rd note by counting 4th key from G# i.e. C
(A > A# > B > C) Yes the F minor chord is F G# C
1st inversion 2nd inversion
F G# C G# C F C F G#
Left hand 5 3 1
Right hand 1 3 5
Diminished & Augmented Chords:
Basically all chords are derived from the Major chords. Yes formula can be appli
ed to these chords also. However I suggest that you touch upon these chords only
after perfecting the Major chords. These chords will come naturally to you afte
r associating them with Major chords.

What is perfection?
Perfection is the ability to do things sub consciously. This is the level at whi
ch you are not required to think while doing that task. In this context, I had r
ead a beautiful example and I am using it here.
Think about cycling. While learning we are required to fully concentrate on bala
ncing and try to keep the handle straight. Once you have learnt, then you are no
longer required to even think of balancing. It is taken over by your sub consci
ous mind and you start riding as per your minds command. Now your conscious mind
is free to concentrate on other things like talking, looking around at beautifu
l girls (just kidding) etc. while riding. This is perfection.
Please go ahead and achieve that perfection in playing Major chords. As soon as
you think about a chord, instantly you should know the notes and the fingers sho
uld automatically reach on to those notes.
Diminished and augmented chords will be taken up in my next posting.
Happy playing.
Subodh