Library   /   Courses   /   Key of C Major – Canon in C

Key of C Major – Canon in C

Membership Required

Subscribe to a membership plan for full access to this course and learning resources!

Start Your Free Trial

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!

A good start. It is very motivating.
I followed the lesson one by one. It is very well explained. Some lessons were challenging , but I kept with it. It's great.
good start
good course mix of note playing and groove
Something to work towards
Very well designed. Its starts out and you think this is hard to keep up with, then it starts to feel easier. So you move to the next part/step in the progress and you think "This is hard " and with practice.... I will keep coming back to this piece as a warm up and its great at helping you understand inversions.
Great to be playing beautiful music so early
Fun and challenging for sure, but a great feeling of accomplishment the end. I really like how you mixed in different elements like the accompaniment too.
Excellent and comprehensive
What I loved about the course is that it provides you with the theory and at the very beginning it already prepares you with inversions while keeping you on the beat with the accompaniment. I loved how subtle that is, while other methods insist with the metronome I find this far more engaging and motivating. Introducing inversions early on is a game changer. Well done!

Course Lessons

1
Key of C Major – Lesson 1
12:40

Major Scale, 1 & 2 Octaves

View lesson
2
Key of C Major – Lesson 2
13:33

4 Common Chord Progressions, Grooves

View lesson
3
Key of C Major – Lesson 3
22:01

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

View lesson
4
Key of C Major – Lesson 4
21:44

Inversions, Primary Chord Progression, Canon in C Application

View lesson
5
Key of C Major – Lesson 5
6:51

Performance with Backing Track

View lesson
6
Key of C Major – Lesson 6
10:36

Accompaniment

View lesson
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

A good start. It is very motivating.
I followed the lesson one by one. It is very well explained. Some lessons were challenging , but I kept with it. It's great.
good start
good course mix of note playing and groove
Something to work towards
Very well designed. Its starts out and you think this is hard to keep up with, then it starts to feel easier. So you move to the next part/step in the progress and you think "This is hard " and with practice.... I will keep coming back to this piece as a warm up and its great at helping you understand inversions.
Great to be playing beautiful music so early
Fun and challenging for sure, but a great feeling of accomplishment the end. I really like how you mixed in different elements like the accompaniment too.
Excellent and comprehensive
What I loved about the course is that it provides you with the theory and at the very beginning it already prepares you with inversions while keeping you on the beat with the accompaniment. I loved how subtle that is, while other methods insist with the metronome I find this far more engaging and motivating. Introducing inversions early on is a game changer. Well done!
Related Courses
Key of A Minor – Jonny Darko

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.

Key of G Major – Jonny’s Lullaby

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.

Key of F Major – Jonny’s Bamba

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.

Join Us

Get instant access to this Course and other member features with a PWJ membership!

Guided Learning Tracks

View guided learning tracks for all music styles and skill levels

Progress Tracking

Complete lessons and courses as you track your learning progress

Downloadable Resources

Download Sheet Music and Backing Tracks

Community Forums

Engage with other PWJ members in our member-only community forums

Become a better piano player today. Try us out completely free for 14 days!

Get Started