Twelve-root practice table
| Root | Major triad | Minor triad |
|---|---|---|
| C | C–E–G | C–E♭–G |
| D♭ | D♭–F–A♭ | D♭–F♭–A♭ |
| D | D–F♯–A | D–F–A |
| E♭ | E♭–G–B♭ | E♭–G♭–B♭ |
| E | E–G♯–B | E–G–B |
| F | F–A–C | F–A♭–C |
| F♯ | F♯–A♯–C♯ | F♯–A–C♯ |
| G | G–B–D | G–B♭–D |
| A♭ | A♭–C–E♭ | A♭–C♭–E♭ |
| A | A–C♯–E | A–C–E |
| B♭ | B♭–D–F | B♭–D♭–F |
| B | B–D♯–F♯ | B–D–F♯ |
The list covers all twelve equal-tempered pitch classes using common reference spellings, rather than every enharmonic key signature. C-flat and F-flat are valid theoretical notes: on a standard keyboard C♭ sounds like B, and F♭ sounds like E.
Four builds you can check physically
C major: count C→E four semitones, then E→G three. C minor: C→E♭ three, E♭→G four. D major: D→F♯ four, F♯→A three. B♭ minor: B♭→D♭ three, D♭→F four.
Make your own chord
Pick a root from the left column, name its letter third and fifth, and place the major or minor third by keyboard distance. For example, the third letter above A is C; the third of A major must be C♯, not D♭, even though those keys sound alike in equal temperament. Say the notes before playing so note spelling and hand shape reinforce each other.
Start with the easier six-chord printable chart or explore first seventh chords after the triad formula is comfortable.
Sources and scope
Published theory and the original exercises above are editorial work, not a first-hand product test. Merchant statements were checked 28 October 2026. Music examples are original text arrangements; independent musician review remains a required prepublication check.