Chords

[cryptkeeper]

Hi

I've got a few questions about chords as I'm learning without a teacher. As I see all the chords I was wondering, is there a theory behind the cords or do you just have to learn them by head. What I mean is that if you know how to play C Major, can you play the other major chords without learning them?
Are the major and minor chords the most important ones?

I want to learn chords because I'm playing the piano for one year now and I have never learned chords. I read somwhere that playing the piano without learning chords is very difficult.

[robert35i]

The chord of Cmaj is the 1st, 3rd and 5th tone of the scale.. so if you can play a certain scale, the 1st, 3rd and 5th tone of that scale is the chord (which you can play all at once or as arpeggios)

[cryptkeeper]

Okay, I think I understand. I've tried it out and it works. Thanks alot!!
I don't know what you mean with 'arpeggios' though.

[robert35i]

an arpeggio is when you don't play the notes of the chord at one time but one by one.

[amee]

Usually an arpeggio spans several octaves, for example an arpeggio in C major can go -

C-E-G-C-E-G-C going up the keyboard then the same thing all the way down.