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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!

Great Lesson for Beginners!
Jonny's Beginner Lesson on C Major - Canon in C is straightforward and easy to follow. The lesson structure helps me learn the piece smoothly. Highly recommend for starting your piano journey!
Excellent!
I've played the piano for decades, so I'm not a beginner. I am mostly self-taught with a classical background. Stuff is finally starting to click with this course! I've learned these chord progressions as exercises, but never knew what to do with them. At the end of the course, I started experimenting with playing the Canon in C in other keys with the chords I've learned. (Canon in F? How about D? There's a novel thought!😂) Low and behold, it works! I've never been able to transpose before, so this is super fun! I also, for the first time ever, feel the freedom to actually improvise on my own. I'm so thankful for this course and all that I'm learning! Even though it feels very basic, it's so good to fill in the gaps of my piano knowledge with this foundation.
This has been very helpful to me playing chords and inversion in C Major.
This course is awesome for beginners.
About where I'm at
Having completed Key of C Major, I realise this is where I am currently comfortable. Lots to practice in this course, but enjoyed all the theory and technique and will spend a day or so polishing the pieces, chords and inversion and alternative patterns from lessons 6.
Continue to build on what you know
I enjoy taking what we learned in the previous lesson and building upon it. Playing with accompaniment feels good

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!

Great Lesson for Beginners!
Jonny's Beginner Lesson on C Major - Canon in C is straightforward and easy to follow. The lesson structure helps me learn the piece smoothly. Highly recommend for starting your piano journey!
Excellent!
I've played the piano for decades, so I'm not a beginner. I am mostly self-taught with a classical background. Stuff is finally starting to click with this course! I've learned these chord progressions as exercises, but never knew what to do with them. At the end of the course, I started experimenting with playing the Canon in C in other keys with the chords I've learned. (Canon in F? How about D? There's a novel thought!😂) Low and behold, it works! I've never been able to transpose before, so this is super fun! I also, for the first time ever, feel the freedom to actually improvise on my own. I'm so thankful for this course and all that I'm learning! Even though it feels very basic, it's so good to fill in the gaps of my piano knowledge with this foundation.
This has been very helpful to me playing chords and inversion in C Major.
This course is awesome for beginners.
About where I'm at
Having completed Key of C Major, I realise this is where I am currently comfortable. Lots to practice in this course, but enjoyed all the theory and technique and will spend a day or so polishing the pieces, chords and inversion and alternative patterns from lessons 6.
Continue to build on what you know
I enjoy taking what we learned in the previous lesson and building upon it. Playing with accompaniment feels good
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