Learning piano often seems like an impossible task, but did you know that most of your favorite pop songs only use four chords? In this tutorial you'll learn the FOUR chords you need to know to be able to play HUNDREDS of songs. Don't forget to download the free Cheat Sheet!
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Why learn chord progressions?
Having a repertoire of chord progressions will empower you to play a lot more music on piano with a LOT more ease. Once you are comfortable playing a variety of simple chord progressions in different keys, then you will be able to sit down and play songs without a lot of practice.
Learning chord progressions will also help to train your ear. If you have ever wondered how people sit down and play songs by ear - THIS IS IT! Once you play these progressions enough, then your ear will recognize them. Total game changer!
If you want to write your own songs, this is also a great way to get some good progressions in your pocket so you have a starting place. As you play through the progressions, explore some melody ideas by singing along. You'll be amazed at what you come up with!
Understanding Basic Harmony
We are working with Diatonic Harmony, which means we are harvesting the chords directly from the major scale. As you can see below, I have written out the C major scale with triads build on each scale degree.
I then went back and labeled each chord, indicating if it was major, minor or diminished. (The "m" means minor and the "o" means diminished). The uppercase Roman numerals indicate major and the lowercase Roman numerals indicate minor!
The order of chords is going to be the same in every single key, so you will always know that the I chord is going to be major and the vi chord is going to be minor.
Our primary chords are the I - IV - V. Primary chords mean the most basic functioning harmony that exist in music. We are going to add to that the vi as well.
Therefore, the four chords you need to know are:
I - IV - V - vi
In the Key of C, those chords look like this:
How do I learn to play the four chords on piano?
You are going to practice this chord progression in different keys, which will help you to get this information into your fingers AND your EARS. (We're big about ear training around here!)
Once you have mastered the basic progression, you can mix up the four chords to create new chord progressions. Try these ones:
I - V - vi - IV
vi - V - IV - I
IV - vi - I - V
Practice these through different keys, a few at a time.
Need to learn chords?
Sign up and get my FREE Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheets! Perfect for mastering your chords on piano.
Here are just a few of the songs that use these four chords: (There are literally HUNDREDS more!)
2 Become 1 - Spice Girls
Africa - Toto
Amazing - Alex Lloyd
Apologize - OneRepublic
Auld Lang Syne - Robert Burns
Barbie Girl - Aqua
Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson
Beautiful Day - Akon
Bullet with Butterfly Wings - The Smashing Pumpkins
Can You Feel the Love Tonight (from The Lion King) - Elton John
Complicated - Avril Lavigne
Demons - Imagine Dragons
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Don't Matter - Akon
Double Rainbow Song - The Gregory Brothers
Down Under - Men At Work
Fall At Your Feet - Crowded House
Forever Young - Alphaville
Hey, Soul Sister - Train
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
If I Were A Boy - Beyoncé
In My Head - Jason Derulo
It's My Life - Bon Jovi
Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri
Kids - MGMT
Let It Be - The Beatles
Let It Go- Idina Menzel
Love the Way You Lie - Eminem featuring Rihanna
Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
No One - Alicia Keys
No Woman, No Cry - Bob Marley
Not Pretty Enough - Kasey Chambers
One of Us - Joan Osborne
Otherside - Red Hot Chili Peppers
©Brenda Earle Stokes 2025 www.pianoandvoicewithbrenda.comPaparazzi - Lady Gaga
Pictures of You - The Last Goodnight
Poker Face- Lady Gaga
Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry
Scar - Missy Higgins
Self Esteem- The Offspring
She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
Someone Like You - Adele
Superman - Five for Fighting
Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver
Take On Me - A-ha
Taylor - Jack Johnson
The Horses - Daryl Braithwaite
Time to Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli
Torn - Natalie Imbruglia
Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Waltzing Matilda
We Found Love" - Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
When I Come Around - Green Day
Where Is the Love - The Black Eyed Peas
Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
With or Without You - U2
Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus
You Found Me - The Fray
You're Beautiful - James Blunt
You're Gonna Go Far, Kid - The Offspring
Zombie - The Cranberries
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