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Chords on the Jankó
Below you find illustrations and explanations of the most basic chord shapes on the Jankó piano.
The left red shape is meant for the left hand, the right green shape for the right hand.
We use the standard finger numbering:
1 for the thumb, 2 for the index finger, 3 middle finger, 4 ring finger, and 5 for the pinky.
In the examples below, I (arbitrarily) chose D as the root note. But remember: since the Jankó keyboard is isomorphic, any of the shown chord shapes that work for D as the root note also work for any other root note. Just keep the same shape and move the most left note to the root note.
For example, below you see the chord shape for a D major chord. In order to play a C major chord, simply keep the same shape and move it one key to the left.
Major chord
The major chord consist of a major third and a minor third interval stacked on top of each other. Notice that we always chose the position of the thumb (1) to be at least one row below the position of the longer fingers (index, middle and ring finger) to ensure an ergonomic hand position.
Since the middle finger (3) is longer than the pinky (5), but they play on the same row (with the left hand), you might want to put your middle finger of your left hand in the space between the two neighboring keys (the F and G keys in our case). This is possible on my slim-key version of the Jankó but not on the original Jankó layout.
Minor chord
The minor chord consist of a minor third and a major third interval stacked on top of each other. As was the case with the major chord, the middle (3) and the pinky (5) play the same row, this time with the right hand, so make sure to use the available space between the two neighboring keys with the middle finger.
Major seventh chord
The major seventh chord consist of a major chord plus an added major third. With this chord, it is particularly important to move the middle finger (3) in the space between its neighboring keys (again the F and G keys in our case).
Minor seventh chord
The minor seventh chord consist of a minor chord plus a minor third. Here, since the pinky (5) and the thumb (1) play on the same row, in order to ensure an ergonomic hand position, the pinky needs to be put into the space between the two neighboring keys.
Dominant seventh chord
Finally, the dominant seventh chord consist of a major chord plus a minor third. Again, since pinky (5) and thumb (1) play on the same row, the pinky needs to be put into the space between the neighboring keys.
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