Piano chords for beginners: learn four chords to play hundreds of songs

Learning piano chords and chord progressions can seem pretty daunting, but you can get a long way on the instrument by knowing just a few. In fact, you can play hundreds of songs if you learn just four easy piano chords.

In this tutorial I'm going to assume you're a beginner and that, while you know the basic notes on the piano keyboard, you know little or nothing about chords, harmony and improvisation. I'll teach you four chords and a simple progression in the key of C that you can adapt to help you play very many different songs. You can also use this easy tutorial to start learning some bits and pieces of piano improvisation, and as an intro to some of the other piano tutorials on my channel.

The chords I look at are C, F, G and A minor. The first thing I explain is the importance of being able to play these chords in many different voicings and inversions - the piano offers hundreds of different ways of playing simple chords, and it's important that you really get comfortable with find chord shapes quickly on the keyboard.

From there we take a simple chord progression and begin to play it to time, starting with just single chords and moving on to slightly more complex, but easy piano comps. We also look at ways that you can start improvising on the chords to create more interesting effects, and also mention playing in different keys and learning how to pick out melody at the keyboard.

A really important point that I make several times is that you have to practise this pretty hard - learning piano isn't easy, and it's really crucial that you give your brain time to adjust to the complex stuff you're asking it to do. However, with a few hours or days of practice it shouldn't take long for you to get pretty reasonable at playing chords on the piano. It's all about determination and sticking to it!

If you've enjoyed this tutorial you might also like my book, How To Really Play The Piano - there's a link at the top of this description.

[BillHilton]

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[pesto]

I learned more in 16 minutes than I had watching and reading hours of books.... clear instruction and well presented... thank you.. SUBSCRIBED!

[suzanne]

I'm a classically trained pianist, meaning I know how to play what is written in front of me but I have no clue how to improvise. I've been looking for helpful tutorials on learning how to play chords and your technique is really helpful and effective for me. Thanks so much!!

[SuperCasino]

You have one of the absolutely best speaking voices I have ever heard.

[lindatoms]

I bookmarked this to come back to and did so today. I'm 73, love music and would like to grow some more brain cells. I have an electric keyboard waiting in the basement gathering dust that wants to be woken up. Thought your video was clear and informative. I just want to have fun with music so will hit the keys as soon as the household wakes up. I do believe I heard in the video, just do it! In so many words.

[raicho]

Used to watch these 4 years ago. You, sir, have acctually laid the foundation for my interest in improvised music. Ever since i understood the pentatonic scale as you explained it, it was like you suddenly unlocked hidden powers in me, because truth be told, i already had pretty decent technique, but i knew no theory. Theory is really powerful, it lets you do the best out of what you already know, in a way. You explain simply and to the point! Recommending you to a friend of mine now! You are truly amazing at teaching!

[Tewbacka]

Totally awesome Bill. As a 64 Y.O. picking up the piano again after an absence of 50 years, your simple approach has really helped this old bloke. Much better than sitting in Miss McGarry's cold studio on a Thursday night as a school boy learning classical piano.

[ejafortobore]

This guy is the best piano teacher I have ever seen. Making things look so simple

[normansim]

I’m 66 just retired and picking up piano for the first time. I’m glad I’ve gone to your site first. You are very encouraging and given me lots of confidence to give it a go.

[theultimatecatloverchannel]

I've watched a lot of tutorials on youtube. Yours are the best.Probably because of the relaxed approach, and your quick tips, and your wonderful English accent.

[whitelightenergydads]

Yo fam, time to grow new brain bits. Let’s do this.

[katieharris]

I took piano lessons 60 years ago. My playing was never more than fair. Now with this new chord method, I am starting to have FUN again. Thank you so much. I shall be watching this over and over again.

[sizwendlanzi]

I ended up playing Bob Marley's No woman, No cry as I was learning! This is awesome!

[ricebird]

I play the piano since I'm 5 and be advised this guy does it right
Nice method for beginners

[babysheq]

I haven't even finished the video and what I have already realized and accomplished was something I was missing in my piano college class I was taking and never really understood something until just now thank you! New sub!

[juliakelley]

I literally didn't understand how playing the piano worked until I watched this. Thank you so much! I'm a big picture learner, so it's so helpful to give these comprehensive explanations even though I can't do it, I like to understand what I'm laying the foundation for.

[gene]

RE: Quarantine: This is a terrific tutorial for complete novices like me. I've been self-taught on guitar for the past five or six years and it quickly became my first line of self-therapy and relaxation. But not long ago, (just before the official quarantine), I picked up an inexpensive Casio keyboard at a flea market or something like that, thinking that eventually I'll learn to play it. But until now, it's been a nothing more than a major dust collector taking up living space. Then I stumbled upon this site and was hooked within minutes. I've run it through several times now, jotting down notes and drawing diagrams each time. I think It's well explained, consistent, and thankfully it's easy to follow. Of course no one knows how long this pandemic business will last. But with more tutorials like this, I'm sure to be tickling the ivory (as they used to say) before it's over.

[hstbuon]

Was gonna give up on chords but Bill inspired me. I love how he acknowledges the reality of it being difficult yet gives us an outlook on what we can achieve with this later on. Thanks!

[akilav]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I've been playing piano for over a decade but only learned how to read and play classical music. Accompaniment and chords never came naturally to me. Great explanations. I look forward to learning more from your channel.

[toddzhang]

Im not a musician, but I like to help my 6 yr old son William to understand the chord. While, I watched a few youbutes, this is the one I like the most. From a non-musician point, I truly understand what this British guy talking about. He shows the easy and fundamental way for anybody who has no music knowledge could understand the beauty of the chords. It is marvelous and unbelievable. I will continue to follow this guy and see how far I can go to learn. Thank you so much, Bill !