Piano Guidance
Photo by Andres  Ayrton Pexels Logo Photo: Andres Ayrton

What are the 4 basic chords?

The chord progression consists of four basic chords: C major (chord symbol ""C"") G major (chord symbol ""G"") A minor (chord symbol ""Am"") F major (chord symbol ""F"")

What is a good ABRSM score?
What is a good ABRSM score?

ABRSM High Scores In exams, 130 marks out of 150 is a distinction, 120 is merit and 100 is pass.

Read More »
Is music ability genetic?
Is music ability genetic?

They tested 224 members of 15 different families of musicians and found that musical ability is 50% inherited. Several studies have found that...

Read More »

In the following tutorial, you'll see how you can play these four piano chords with your left hand. Take 15-20 minutes to memorize the chords until you can play them effortlessly. The chord symbols in the sheets will help you commit them to memory. Before moving on to the next step, make sure you can play the chords with your left hand without having to look at the keys. Practice the four basic chords in your left hand with this tutorial until you can play them "blindly"

Tutorial 1: Bob Marley - No Woman No Cry

If you can play the four basic chords with your left hand, you're already halfway there. Now it's time to add the melody with your right hand. In the following video, you can see how to play the world-famous melody from Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry" with your right hand while playing the basic chords in the left hand.

Video: How to play "No Woman No Cry" with four chords

Note: In this song you will play each chord twice. The order of the chords is the same..

Tutorial 2: Céline Dion – My Heart Will Go On (Titanic)

This world-famous melody from the film "Titanic" can also be accompanied with the four basic chords. Amazing, isn't it? In the following video you will learn how to play the melody of the song to the chords.

Video: How to play "My Heart Will Go On" with four chords

Tutorial 3: Alphaville – Forever Young

The chorus of this world hit from the 80s is also played with the same progression of chords. In the following video you can see how it works.

Video: How to play "Forever Young" with four chords

Want to play more songs and learn more advanced chord accompaniments?

Then try the flowkey app for free and discover hundreds of songs as well as interactive lessons on chord accompaniment, reading piano notes, improvisation and more.

Do your vocal cords move when you whisper?
Do your vocal cords move when you whisper?

Whispering is an unvoiced mode of phonation in which the vocal cords are abducted so that they do not vibrate; air passes between the arytenoid...

Read More »
Is 3 hours a day of guitar good?
Is 3 hours a day of guitar good?

The time needed to invest in practicing the guitar is completely dependent on your goals. Serious guitarists who want to play for a career need to...

Read More »

How can you tell how old a piano is?

Pianos also have other numbers printed on them such as part numbers and many other pianos do not have a serial number at all. Many pianos will have a 4, 5 or 6 digit serial number to identify the age of the piano. Using this number, along with the manufacturer, the age of the piano can sometimes be determined.

Many piano manufacturers placed serial numbers in a variety of places.

Pianos also have other numbers printed on them such as part numbers and many other pianos do not have a serial number at all. Many pianos will have a 4, 5 or 6 digit serial number to identify the age of the piano. Using this number, along with the manufacturer, the age of the piano can sometimes be determined. The areas to look for these numbers vary from each company but here are some common places to look along with some photos. 1. Piano serial number of uprights are many times located on the inside of the piano stamped onto the plate between the bass string section and the treble string section. 2. Other upright serial numbers are located on the cast iron plate but placed above the treble string section. 3. Grand piano serial numbers are placed in many areas as the photos show. There are seven examples but your serial number placement could be in yet a different location and may require some searching. Be sure to find the manufacturer’s name stamped on the cast iron plate or in the wood. Do not rely on the name that is printed on the fall board as this does not guarantee the name of the manufacturer. Some serial numbers are printed on the back board of vertical pianos and require you to move the piano out from the wall. We have also seen serial numbers of grand pianos stamped into the lyre assembly and nowhere else. A thorough examination is required to locate each pianos individual serial number.

Why do people like weighted keys?
Why do people like weighted keys?

WHY ARE WEIGHTED KEYS BETTER FOR BEGINNERS THAN THOSE OF A KEYBOARD? Weighted keys will bring the beginner pianist closer to that of an acoustic...

Read More »
What is a real piano called?
What is a real piano called?

The first pianos were large and therefore called “grand” pianos. But there's a second, smaller variety of acoustic piano too: the upright, invented...

Read More »
Why do pianists have long nails?
Why do pianists have long nails?

There's more control over the sound and achieving dynamics and articulations become much easier to do. Because long fingernails force pianists to...

Read More »
What is a note with 3 beats called?
What is a note with 3 beats called?

We use a new tool called the dotted half note to count three beats. The dotted half note looks like a normal half note, except that it has a small...

Read More »