Start With Chords · Level 1 · Weeks 1 and 2
Four chords, one hand shape
Most pop songs are built from a handful of chords. These four, played in this order, carry a huge share of them. By the end of week two you will play them in time with a track, without looking at your hands.
The shapes
Learn each chord with both hands
Tap a chord to hear it, or tap any key on the keyboard.
The trick that makes this easy: your right thumb stays on middle C for C, Am and F. Only G moves it, one key down to B. Your hand barely travels, so your ears and eyes stay on the music.
Exercises
Three steps to playing in time
Each one loops the four chords. Start slow: on the screen, set the tempo to 60% and raise it when the changes feel easy.
Hold each chord
Goal: find the next shape before the bar ends. Count "1, 2, 3, 4" out loud.
Pulse on every beat
Goal: right hand plays four even chords per bar while the left hand holds the root.
Pop ballad rhythm
Goal: the pattern "1, 2, 3-and, 4" in the right hand, left hand on beats 1 and 3. This is the groove behind countless ballads.
Play-along
Your first song
An original melody over the same four chords. Your job is the chords; the track plays the tune.
Valley Road
80 bpm · 9 bars · melody by your teacher- Listen once with Hear it and follow the chord names above the staff.
- Switch to Your turn. Play each chord once, on beat 1, with the left-hand root.
- When that works, use the Exercise 3 rhythm instead.
- Last bar: hold the C chord and let it ring.
The audio track and tempo control are on the online version of this lesson: startwithchords.com/sample-lesson
Practice plan
Fifteen minutes a day
| Days | Focus | Tempo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Chord shapes one at a time, then Exercise 1. Say each chord name as you play it. | Free, no track |
| 4 to 7 | Exercise 1 with the track, then Exercise 2. | 60% to 80% |
| 8 to 10 | Exercise 2 at full speed, then Exercise 3 slowly. | 60% to 100% |
| 11 to 14 | Valley Road: Hear it, then Your turn. Finish with Exercise 3. | 80% to 100% |