Piano · Level 1 · First steps

Switching between two chords in G major on Piano

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Fast, relaxed chord changes start with just two chords. Moving back and forth between the home chord and the fifth chord trains your hands to change without looking.

G

G major

Notes: G · B · D

Left hand: G2

D

D major

Notes: D · F♯ · A

Left hand: D2
♯
1
G
2
D
3
G
4
D

HOW TO PRACTISE IT

Six steps to a clean loop.

  1. Play each chord on its own: G and D. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
  2. Keep the right hand curved over the keys and move it as one unit between chords.
  3. Set the tempo to 45 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Look ahead to the next chord during beat four, then land it exactly on beat one.
  4. Play the left-hand bass note on beat one and the right-hand chord on every beat.
  5. Raise the tempo to 60 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
  6. Record one take, listen back and check for the gap between chords getting shorter each time.

Listen for

Aim for the gap between chords getting shorter each time. A common mistake is lifting every finger far off the instrument between chords.

Why it works

I is home; V is the most common chord to move to and away from. Together they form the backbone of folk, country and children's songs.

G major has 1 sharp; its relative minor key is E minor.

Questions

What are the chords in I–V–I–V in G major?

In G major the progression is G | D | G | D.

What is the key signature of G major?

G major has 1 sharp. Its relative minor is E minor.

Is this lesson right for my level?

This is a level 1 lesson (first steps). If it feels too hard, start with “Your first three major chords”.

Your hands learn faster than your eyes.

Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.

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The same lesson in other keys

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