Things You Can Do On The Piano With Just Two Chords

If you are a relative beginner on the piano, you don’t have to know scads of chords to get started. Eventually you’ll want to learn as many as you can, of course, but you can get started with just two chords. After you feel comfortable with two, graduate to three chords. There are literally hundreds of songs you can play with just three chords. Then move to four chords — you’ll find thousands of songs you can play with just four chords. From there the sky is the limit, and you’ll discover that it gets easier as you go!

For lots more ideas on playing with just a few chords, click here: “Songs You Can Play Using Only 4 Chords!”

There is a style in music called “new age”, and while I don’t care for the title, it is a beautiful style that is so nice for relaxation and meditation, that I thought I would make a short video showing how you can create your own little “peaceful song” using just 3 or 4 chords. I chose Am, F, Dm and Em, but you can choose any chords you like. The key is to play rubato (which literally means “robbed time”) and get lots of contrast between arpeggios for an open sound and supportive chords.

Watch this short video:

‘When The Saints Go Marching In” was written in 1896 and is in the public domain. In this video Duane demonstrates how easy it is for beginners — even people who don’t play the piano at all — to play the melody in their right hands with only 5 notes using 5 fingers. In the left hand the only chord that is imperative is the C chord, but more complete if the F and G7 chord are added.