{"id":2815,"date":"2026-11-01T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/?p=236194"},"modified":"2026-10-25T20:41:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T19:41:36","slug":"basic-chords","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/basic-chords\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Chords \u2013 Which Chords Are the Most Important?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a vast repertoire of folk, pop and classical music. If you take a closer look at the individual pieces, you will notice that the same harmonies are often played. But how can harmonies actually be organized into a system? That is exactly what <a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/harmony-theory\/\">harmony theory<\/a> is about. Find out <a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/what-is-a-chord\/\">what a chord actually is<\/a>. And what, then, are the <strong>basic chords<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-basic-chords-based-on-the-diatonic-chords\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Basic Chords Based on the Diatonic Chords<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1457\" height=\"655\" src=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/diatonic-chords-of-the-c-major-scale.png\" alt=\"Diatonic chords of the C major scale: seven triads on the staff, numbered I to VII, with the scale notes as the roots of the chords\" class=\"wp-image-2833\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/diatonic-chords-of-the-c-major-scale.png 1457w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/diatonic-chords-of-the-c-major-scale-300x135.png 300w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/diatonic-chords-of-the-c-major-scale-1024x460.png 1024w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/diatonic-chords-of-the-c-major-scale-768x345.png 768w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/diatonic-chords-of-the-c-major-scale-360x162.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1457px) 100vw, 1457px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:26px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If we look at the <strong>C major scale<\/strong>, we have the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. If we take each of these notes as a <strong>root<\/strong> and build <a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/what-is-a-triad\/\">a triad<\/a> on it, the results are called <strong>diatonic triads<\/strong>. Diatonic means in this case that the new <a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/what-is-a-chord\/\"><strong>chords<\/strong><\/a> are formed from the notes of the C major scale. From the seven notes of the C major scale, we therefore get seven different <strong>diatonic chords<\/strong>, namely: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, B\u00b0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These diatonic chords are then numbered with Roman numerals according to their scale degree. This gives us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Degree I: C major<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Degree II: D minor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Degree III: E minor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Degree IV: F major<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Degree V: G major<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Degree VI: A minor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Degree VII: B diminished<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/basic-chords-learning-piano-zapiano.webp\" alt=\"Hands with red nail polish playing chords on the piano keys \u2013 learning basic chords with Zapiano\u00ae\" class=\"wp-image-2831\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/basic-chords-learning-piano-zapiano.webp 700w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/basic-chords-learning-piano-zapiano-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/basic-chords-learning-piano-zapiano-360x203.webp 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-most-common-diatonic-chords\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Most Common Diatonic Chords<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that we know what diatonic chords are, it is also important to know that certain diatonic chords occur particularly often in music of all genres. These chords are often referred to as <strong>basic chords<\/strong>. They are the chords on degrees I, VI, IV and V, i.e. <strong>C major<\/strong>, <strong>A minor<\/strong>, <strong>F major<\/strong> and <strong>G major<\/strong>. You will find them in a great many pieces of music. If a piece is transposed into another key, these four chords move along with it. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/e-major-scale\/\">E major scale<\/a>, they are E, C#m, A and B.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/basic-chords-playing-the-piano.webp\" alt=\"Hands playing chords on a grand piano \u2013 playing the basic chords on the piano with Zapiano\u00ae\" class=\"wp-image-2835\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/basic-chords-playing-the-piano.webp 700w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/basic-chords-playing-the-piano-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/basic-chords-playing-the-piano-360x203.webp 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-four-chord-songs-having-fun-with-basic-chords\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Four-Chord Songs: Having Fun with Basic Chords<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A group called <strong>The Axis of Awesome<\/strong> shows just how many pieces of music are actually based on the basic chords. They are a band of Australian musicians who have made some pretty cool YouTube videos with comedy elements. In one of them, they sing a medley made up of lots of well-known <strong>pop songs<\/strong>. Take a look!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"4 Chords | Music Videos | The Axis Of Awesome\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oOlDewpCfZQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-simply-learn-the-basic-piano-chords\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Simply Learn the Basic Piano Chords<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As you can see, if you simply learn the <strong>basic chords<\/strong>, you can already get quite creative at the piano. And the good news is: at <strong>Zapiano<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>, there are also <strong>piano pieces for beginners<\/strong> that are based on these basic chords. This way, you can start playing music at a very early stage, even as a beginner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-basic-chords-and-accompaniment-patterns\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Basic Chords and Accompaniment Patterns<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But we don&#8217;t just play the <strong>basic chords<\/strong> on the piano in root position. We also learn the <strong>chord inversions<\/strong> and many different <strong>accompaniment patterns<\/strong> and <strong>accompaniment techniques<\/strong>. We already start with this in our successful course <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/piano-starter-1\/\">Piano Starter 1<\/a><\/strong>, which we recommend to all piano beginners. Advanced piano students also benefit from the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/piano-starter-1\/\">Piano Starter 1<\/a><\/strong> course and regularly tell us that it helped them close quite a few gaps in their knowledge. You will also find valuable tips and tricks there. Feel free to take a look at a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/piano-starter-1\/\">free trial lesson<\/a><\/strong> \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-learning-basic-chords-with-the-zapiano-method\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Learning Basic Chords with the Zapiano<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Method<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"730\" height=\"730\" src=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/zapiano-method-learning-basic-chords.png\" alt=\"Learning basic chords with the Zapiano\u00ae Method: harmony, melody and rhythm combined with eyes, ears, brain, hands and heart\" class=\"wp-image-2837\" style=\"width:610px;height:610px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/zapiano-method-learning-basic-chords.png 730w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/zapiano-method-learning-basic-chords-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/zapiano-method-learning-basic-chords-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/11\/zapiano-method-learning-basic-chords-360x360.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At <strong>Zapiano<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>, we learn the <strong>basic chords<\/strong> according to the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/the-zapiano-method\/\">Zapiano<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Method<\/a><\/strong>. This means that we involve <strong>all of our senses<\/strong> in learning. As a result, the learning content, and with it your command of the <strong>basic chords<\/strong>, sticks much better and <strong>lasts longer<\/strong>. In the course, we learn the songs from sheet music and play exactly what we have learned. At the same time, we also learn to shape the pieces freely and to improvise on them. This way, you can give every piece your own personal touch and get really creative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If any questions come up, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/contact\/\">Zapiano<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> team<\/a><\/strong> is always there for you. You can ask your question below each lesson or use the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/contact\/\">contact form<\/a><\/strong>. If you are unsure about something, you also have the option of sending us a <strong>video<\/strong> of your piano playing once a month. One of our <strong>Zapiano<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> coaches<\/strong> will then watch it and give you <strong>feedback<\/strong>. As you can see, we at <strong>Zapiano<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong> place great value on <strong>interaction<\/strong> with our students. Feel free to try <strong>Zapiano<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong> in a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/piano-starter-1\/\">free trial lesson<\/a><\/strong> below \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-order-your-free-piano-starter-1-trial-lesson\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"color:#d4aa60\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/app.monstercampaigns.com\/c\/iv8skhevcts1btvysmsh\/\">Order your free Piano Starter 1 trial lesson here!<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There is a vast repertoire of folk, pop and classical music. If you take a closer look at the individual pieces, you will notice that the same harmonies are often&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/zapiano.com\/en\/basic-chords\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Basic Chords \u2013 Which Chords Are the Most Important?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2831,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,15,17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seo-blog-english","category-theory-and-sheetmusic","category-theory-and-sheetmusic-beginner","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Basic Chords \u2013 Which Chords Are the Most Important?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What are basic chords, and how are they related to the diatonic chords of a scale? 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