Simple Exercise For Practicing & Memorizing Chords

If you have problems remembering how to play simple triad chords (C major, F minor, Bb major, etc) on the piano, then I have a great exercise for you based on the circle of fourths/fifths to help you memorize those chords and train your playing! Basically, it involves playing the chords throughout the circle: C to F, F to Bb, Bb to Eb and so forth. This will also help you practice your inversions.

If you need a refresher on how to build triads (major and minor chords mostly), please visit my Piano Quickie series to get you started. Here's a link to the playlist:

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[kmichaelthompson]

I've been learning on my own since the pandemic started. This is the best lesson so far. I'm sixty and always wanted to learn to play piano.

[kotcherd]

I'm 66 and have 2 pianos that I never used. I think this is my gateway to actually beginning to touch those pianos.

[michaelanderson]

What a great way to learn inversion patterns. And understanding that playing the third degree in the left hand makes the harmony rich was an eye opener. I'm practicing this every day. Thank you so much!

[stephenlim]

Awesome lesson! I can follow your instructions exactly giving the fact I had taken piano lessons previously. I must say your lessons are very clear to the point and worthwhile. I have stopped playing for over 15 years but you have rekindled my interest in coming back. Thank you.

[naturewatcher]

Interesting practicing idea. Not for total beginners - you need to know music theory basics, but if you know them, then you'll grab the idea. Thank you.

[shaunmaqshaunmaq]

thank u Sir ...i will practice this exercise...this will help me in the church im playing in now Amen...

[kenevans]

Man U R Gold.
Sir, could you please post the answers to this exercise. I tried doing it, but it sounds off. Confirmation of my notes would be a great help. Thank you. BTW, best piano lessons I have found!

[jaepark]

this IS good for beginners!! I had no idea what I was doing and as I playing my eyes were opened

[alexandery]

I just wanna thank you for the idea. I will play though all 12 major scales and 12 minor scales in this challanging way. If I have problem with the "descending chords" I will play arpeggio with each of them while singing their vocals or system that is do re mi fa so la ti do

[bzeliotis]

A very useful lesson thanks! But a small correction in terminology to stop confusion.
At 3:20 onwards, what you mean to say is that, we go from the 1ST INVERSIONof C (with the E in the bass and root position in the right hand) to the ROOT position of F (F inthe bass of an F chord, means it's a root positon chord) BUT playing the 2nd inversion of F I N THE RIGHT HAND. The same pattern applies for the rest of the video.

[davidfreel]

I am gonna practice this note for note on the guitar in every position. What a lovely clear and musical exercise, and just listening to it gives me nostalgia for montage scenes in nineteen eighties teen movies. Your work isn't just a lesson for pupils it is a lesson for teachers, and would be videographers. THANKS.

[corystajduhar]

I like this. It's basically doing a V - I progression. C to F is also a fifth down. It's a fifth going counterclockwise on the circle of fifths. Each chord becomes the V chord of the subsequent chord.

[samuelsudhakar]

Good afternoon sir. Thank u so much for the lesson of simple exercise for practicing nd memorizing chords. For those who knows the piano already for such people it will be very easy to learn. But for the biginners it will take time to grasp ur teaching. Anyway hats off for ur scarifice leaving all ur work nd showing interest, nd having patience to teach us nd having lot of love towards the people/viewers. Awaiting more lessons from ur kindself. Take care. Bye sir.

[devidasdandgaonkar]

Excellent, your each 10 to15 minutes video is a great investment for me.Thanks.

[thDayAdventures]

This lesson is genius! Didn't think I got it at first but I figured it out and feel like I have a way better understanding of music.

[MikeJCullen]

Great idea for a piano exercise! Very well explained and demonstrated for beginners! Thank you!

[BharatGosher]

Try same thing with Right hand 1st position then 2nd position with Left hand same position. Vice versa change left hand to root postion and 2nd position. Further mix all the positions and you shall have more combinations with totally different works fantastic to master.... thank you so much....

[itsrob]

Thank you so much for this. I was just working on this but wasn’t thinking circle of fourths. I was just hearing it. Now I can really apply it.

[climax]

Thank you so much! I'm using to practice my chords. God bless you man!

[MichelRichardDrums]

Thank you for this lesson it is exactly where i'm at with my learning and this is very helpful to me.