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!
Great
Finally learned the importance of knowing chords in both hands that was a piece of information. I had not understood from previous training. I love the Canon that Johnny has written and I want to use that in in my work.
Fun and challenging!
I love how this course went very systematically. It starts out with just a progression. Then add notes one at a time, then the root chords. Then things keep getting added step by step to make it more interesting. Add inversions, then a bass note with the LH, then a pattern with the LH. The instructor is very good and never rushes. He talks in a manner you can understand. From a simple song to something that sounds great with the background track in a simple step by step system to follow. It is a very catchy progression that can be used with many songs. Easy for a beginner to learn but sounds like a pro.I am very happy with all the course so far, but especially this one because it was very simple for me to follow, as some are a little harder.
Beautiful song to learn different techniques
This is a really good course to get familiar with doing different patterns as well as different rhythms in the left hand and to play a melody on the right. Also learning how the chords can be inverted is really helpful I am really beginning to understand the C major scale now.
Leaving my sheet music behind!
It's empowering to understand the patterns behind the music, and beginning to make them my own. Having been wedded to other people's texts for many years, I find it challenging to keep my mind on what I'm doing in order to play with any kind of flow. It reminds me very much of my struggles with trying to learn foreign languages - relatively easy to read, harder to memorize and replicate a printed diagogue and still harder to actually converse in real time.
I appreciate how both instructors communicate the improvisational potential of this chord progression and melody line. It makes it relevant and challenging, whatever one's ability and previous experience happens to be.
Although this material is pretty straightforward, I'm going to be at it for awhile in order to make it my own,
Good basics
This is a good place to start. It took me way more time to complete than I thought it would, but I still got it done in a week.
Finally learned the importance of knowing chords in both hands that was a piece of information. I had not understood from previous training. I love the Canon that Johnny has written and I want to use that in in my work.
Fun and challenging!
I love how this course went very systematically. It starts out with just a progression. Then add notes one at a time, then the root chords. Then things keep getting added step by step to make it more interesting. Add inversions, then a bass note with the LH, then a pattern with the LH. The instructor is very good and never rushes. He talks in a manner you can understand. From a simple song to something that sounds great with the background track in a simple step by step system to follow. It is a very catchy progression that can be used with many songs. Easy for a beginner to learn but sounds like a pro.I am very happy with all the course so far, but especially this one because it was very simple for me to follow, as some are a little harder.
Beautiful song to learn different techniques
This is a really good course to get familiar with doing different patterns as well as different rhythms in the left hand and to play a melody on the right. Also learning how the chords can be inverted is really helpful I am really beginning to understand the C major scale now.
Leaving my sheet music behind!
It's empowering to understand the patterns behind the music, and beginning to make them my own. Having been wedded to other people's texts for many years, I find it challenging to keep my mind on what I'm doing in order to play with any kind of flow. It reminds me very much of my struggles with trying to learn foreign languages - relatively easy to read, harder to memorize and replicate a printed diagogue and still harder to actually converse in real time.
I appreciate how both instructors communicate the improvisational potential of this chord progression and melody line. It makes it relevant and challenging, whatever one's ability and previous experience happens to be.
Although this material is pretty straightforward, I'm going to be at it for awhile in order to make it my own,
Good basics
This is a good place to start. It took me way more time to complete than I thought it would, but I still got it done in a week.
Discover the moody, dramatic sound of a minor key, and learn the three scales that give it its unique character. You'll finish by playing Jonny Darko, a fun original tune.
Explore the bright, cheerful key of G major, one of the most popular keys in music. You'll learn to play its scale smoothly up and down the keyboard and finish with a sweet original lullaby.
Explore the festive, spirited key of F major and learn the one small fingering twist that sets its scale apart. You'll also learn the chords behind popular songs and finish with a fun Latin-flavored original tune.
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Piano With Jonny offers three core content types:
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Courses are comprised of lessons and are based on selected styles of music and learning focus topics. PWJ offers regular courses, workshops which include teacher interaction, and challenges which are divided into a 4 week learning format.
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Lessons are combined into courses. Most lessons build upon concepts of the previous lesson, with the exception of Quick Tips which stand alone.
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Content Types
Piano With Jonny offers three core content types:
Courses
Courses are comprised of lessons and are based on selected styles of music and learning focus topics. PWJ offers regular courses, workshops which include teacher interaction, and challenges which are divided into a 4 week learning format.
Lessons
Lessons are combined into courses. Most lessons build upon concepts of the previous lesson, with the exception of Quick Tips which stand alone.
Smartsheets
Smartsheets use the Soundslice sheet music player to give students digital access to all arrangements and lesson sheet music.
Course Types
Courses are comprised of lessons and are based on selected styles of music and learning focus topics. PWJ offers regular courses, workshops which include teacher interaction, and challenges which are divided into a 4 week learning format.
Lesson Types
Lessons are combined into courses. Most lessons build upon concepts of the previous lesson, with the exception of Quick Tips which stand alone.
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Smartsheets use the Soundslice sheet music player to give students digital access to all arrangements and lesson sheet music. Smartsheets provide audio playback, light-up key notation, transposition, looping, and other learning tools.
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