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 course. Even for intermediate students.
I’m pretty good with Piano. New to this platform. More of an intermediate player. But the accompaniment I have no experience with. Nor using a metronome. I think this basic review of the C major scale and cord progressions was time well spent.
I learned a lot and had fun
Relearning the piano in an educational and fun way
C Major is cool!
I'm a little experienced so I was flying through the course but then I paused. Wait! Just improvise under any chord progression. Ahh, so much fun! Wait? Alberti Bass under Canon in C. Now that was a brain challenge!
Back to basics
Never hurts to revisit the basics. As a new member I'd been tempted to start at intermediate level but decided to go back to beginner level to see how things went. I'm glad I took this approach, as it highlighted certain aspects that I'd been ignoring (sight reading skills needed brushing up, left hand is comparatively weak). So all in all a good few days and I'll continue with the beginner sessions for a while longer and try to resist the temptation to get stuck into more challenging material. I think there are opportunities in the earlier materials for development, whether it be getting a bit of sight reading practice on less demanding sheet music or just brushing up on left hand patterns and L/R hand coordination.
Beginner lessongs presented with empathy and encouragement.
One of the great qualities of a good teacher is being able to feel empathy and put themselves in the shoes of a student at a completely different level than they are. Jonny and Yannek are able to do just that.
Some frustration I had experienced in the past with teachers is that they could not understand how challenging something was for me, because it seemed so easy for them and they kept challenging me beyond what I was ready to do. These beginner courses challenge a student enough to keep it interesting but not so much that they could find it overwhelming. Many times there is a huge disconnect between what a person can understand intellectually and what their body can play physically. This course takes one at just the right pace to put both together.
I’m pretty good with Piano. New to this platform. More of an intermediate player. But the accompaniment I have no experience with. Nor using a metronome. I think this basic review of the C major scale and cord progressions was time well spent.
I learned a lot and had fun
Relearning the piano in an educational and fun way
C Major is cool!
I'm a little experienced so I was flying through the course but then I paused. Wait! Just improvise under any chord progression. Ahh, so much fun! Wait? Alberti Bass under Canon in C. Now that was a brain challenge!
Back to basics
Never hurts to revisit the basics. As a new member I'd been tempted to start at intermediate level but decided to go back to beginner level to see how things went. I'm glad I took this approach, as it highlighted certain aspects that I'd been ignoring (sight reading skills needed brushing up, left hand is comparatively weak). So all in all a good few days and I'll continue with the beginner sessions for a while longer and try to resist the temptation to get stuck into more challenging material. I think there are opportunities in the earlier materials for development, whether it be getting a bit of sight reading practice on less demanding sheet music or just brushing up on left hand patterns and L/R hand coordination.
Beginner lessongs presented with empathy and encouragement.
One of the great qualities of a good teacher is being able to feel empathy and put themselves in the shoes of a student at a completely different level than they are. Jonny and Yannek are able to do just that.
Some frustration I had experienced in the past with teachers is that they could not understand how challenging something was for me, because it seemed so easy for them and they kept challenging me beyond what I was ready to do. These beginner courses challenge a student enough to keep it interesting but not so much that they could find it overwhelming. Many times there is a huge disconnect between what a person can understand intellectually and what their body can play physically. This course takes one at just the right pace to put both together.
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:
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.
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.
Sheet Types
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.
Lessons sheets break down a song into smaller learning sections. They are all instantly downloadable.
Arrangements are through-composed pieces that are fully notated. They are available for digital viewing and print purchase.
Skill Levels
Beginner: You have never played piano or are just starting your learning journey.
Intermediate: You have some familiarity with the basics of music, and have learned a few pieces.
Advanced: You are more confident with music theory and can play several challenging pieces.
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Select a specific music learning objective to work on.
