Chord category
Major chords
Major chords are the most common on the piano. They are written with a single letter (C, D, E…) or with maj, and include variants like maj7, maj9 and 6.
Theory
A major triad has three notes: the root, the major third and the perfect fifth — the 1st, 3rd and 5th of the major scale.
Formula and steps
Degrees
1 – 3 – 5
Steps (semitones)
4 – 3
How they are used
Being the most common, they turn up in every genre: major chords drive the brightest, happiest sequences, while minor chords bring the softer colour.
Progressions (roman numerals)
- I – IV – V
- I – iii – IV – V
- I – IV – vi – V
Example sequences
- C – F – G
- C – Em – F – G
- C – F – Am – G