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Key of C Major – Canon in C

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Instructor
Jonny May
Course
Beginner
01:27:25

The key of C is the perfect place to start, because it uses only the white keys. Once you understand how this key works, you’ll have a blueprint for learning every other key. You’ll learn the C major scale in each hand, the chords that belong to the key of C, and four chord progressions (chord patterns) that show up in countless songs. Then you’ll put it all together with Jonny’s Canon in C, an easy piece that sounds impressive.

Once you’re comfortable, you’ll learn inversions, which are different ways to play the same chord. They make it easier to move from one chord to the next, so your playing sounds smoother and more connected. You’ll practice them with a simple three-chord pattern, then use them in Jonny’s Canon in C.

Then you’ll play Jonny’s Canon in C along with a bass and drums backing track, so it feels like you’re playing in a band. Finally, you’ll learn three easy ways to play chords for someone else to sing or play along to, using the same famous chord pattern as Pachelbel’s Canon, a favorite at weddings.

Course Objectives
  • Play the C major scale in both hands and learn all the diatonic chords in the key
  • Play four common chord progressions, including the primary chord progression with smooth voice leading
  • Recognize and play root position, first inversion and second inversion chords
  • Perform Jonny's Canon in C with a full backing track, using both root position chords and inversions
  • Accompany a singer or instrumentalist using three right-hand chord grooves
Learning Focus
  • Chords
  • Groove
  • Lead Sheets
  • Scales
  • Songs
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Clear explanation of Inversions
Showing the beauty of opening up chords by spreading tones over the keyboard
For any player
Even if you are like me, an intermediate player, I suggest that you should proof yourself that your are able to play each course until you get to your "level". It´s the only way to be srue that you really are able to play once again with no or at least almost zero mistakes. It´s what I´m doing and I like it!!!
Challenging but Fun!
I decided to return to basics, so unlearning bad habits and installing good ones is challenging. This course took me the longest to master, and it can be disheartening, like learning the song and being able to play in time to the backing track, only to re-learn it with inversions. It takes persistence and discipline, but remember that anything worth having takes time and effort, and the PWJ membership offers enormous value. So, thank you so much, PWJ team. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will be happy to record myself playing!
It was a lot of fun and I learned alot about playing with different grooves.
Learning about the groove options, inversions, and broken chords. Changing the rhythm made it interesting and fun
Key of C Major
I have the satisfaction that inch by inch I am learning something new. But it is a hard task of trying to learn to read music, at the same time that you are struggling to place your fingers in the right piano keys.

Course Lessons

1
Key of C Major – Lesson 1
12:40

Major Scale, 1 & 2 Octaves

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2
Key of C Major – Lesson 2
13:33

4 Common Chord Progressions, Grooves

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3
Key of C Major – Lesson 3
22:01

Jonny’s Canon in C, Melody, Chords, and Patterns

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4
Key of C Major – Lesson 4
21:44

Inversions, Primary Chord Progression, Canon in C Application

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5
Key of C Major – Lesson 5
6:51

Performance with Backing Track

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6
Key of C Major – Lesson 6
10:36

Accompaniment

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Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Clear explanation of Inversions
Showing the beauty of opening up chords by spreading tones over the keyboard
For any player
Even if you are like me, an intermediate player, I suggest that you should proof yourself that your are able to play each course until you get to your "level". It´s the only way to be srue that you really are able to play once again with no or at least almost zero mistakes. It´s what I´m doing and I like it!!!
Challenging but Fun!
I decided to return to basics, so unlearning bad habits and installing good ones is challenging. This course took me the longest to master, and it can be disheartening, like learning the song and being able to play in time to the backing track, only to re-learn it with inversions. It takes persistence and discipline, but remember that anything worth having takes time and effort, and the PWJ membership offers enormous value. So, thank you so much, PWJ team. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will be happy to record myself playing!
It was a lot of fun and I learned alot about playing with different grooves.
Learning about the groove options, inversions, and broken chords. Changing the rhythm made it interesting and fun
Key of C Major
I have the satisfaction that inch by inch I am learning something new. But it is a hard task of trying to learn to read music, at the same time that you are struggling to place your fingers in the right piano keys.
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