Master the main chords to play piano 4 chord songs
As a beginner pianist, getting a grip on the basic piano chords is your first step towards mastering the instrument. But did you know that if you learn only 4 of them, you would be able to play a tone of the most famous piano 4 chord songs in the world? These chords form the foundation of countless songs and learning them will provide you a quick way to start playing the music you love.
In this article, we’ll explore four of the most common chords found in famous songs – C, G, Am, and F. These chords are not only easy to learn, but they also open up a world of music that spans genres and eras.
The chords used in most piano 4 chord songs
C Major Chord
The C major chord consists of three notes: C, E, and G. To play this chord on the piano:
- Right Hand: Place your thumb (1st finger) on C, your middle finger (3rd finger) on E, and your little finger (5th finger) on G.
- Left Hand: Place your little finger (5th finger) on C, your middle finger (3rd finger) on E, and your thumb (1st finger) on G.
G Major Chord
The G major chord consists of three notes: G, B, and D. To play this chord on the piano:
- Right Hand: Place your thumb (1st finger) on G, your middle finger (3rd finger) on B, and your little finger (5th finger) on D.
- Left Hand: Place your little finger (5th finger) on G, your middle finger (3rd finger) on B, and your thumb (1st finger) on D.
A Minor Chord
The A minor chord consists of three notes: A, C, and E. To play this chord on the piano:
- Right Hand: Place your thumb (1st finger) on A, your middle finger (3rd finger) on C, and your little finger (5th finger) on E.
- Left Hand: Place your little finger (5th finger) on A, your middle finger (3rd finger) on C, and your thumb (1st finger) on E.
F Major Chord
The F major chord consists of three notes: F, A, and C. To play this chord on the piano:
- Right Hand: Place your thumb (1st finger) on F, your middle finger (3rd finger) on A, and your little finger (5th finger) on C.
- Left Hand: Place your little finger (5th finger) on F, your middle finger (3rd finger) on A, and your thumb (1st finger) on C.
Printable How to play a piano chords with beautiful charts
How to play a piano chords ? What is a chord anyway ? Don’t worrry, we have designed a beginners friendly guide to help you learn the basic piano scales and elevate your piano learning.
A selection of most famous and easiest piano 4 chord songs
Classical Music:
- “Canon in D” – Johann Pachelbel
- “Symphony No. 40” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- “Ave Maria” – Franz Schubert
- “Prelude in C Major” – Johann Sebastian Bach
- “Minuet in G Major” – Ludwig van Beethoven
- “Fur Elise” – Ludwig van Beethoven
- “Ode to Joy” – Ludwig van Beethoven
- “Air on the G String” – Johann Sebastian Bach
- “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3” – Johann Sebastian Bach
- “Moonlight Sonata” – Ludwig van Beethoven
Pop and Mainstream World Music:
- “Someone Like You” – Adele
- “Let it Be” – The Beatles
- “Counting Stars” – OneRepublic
- “Hey, Soul Sister” – Train
- “Poker Face” – Lady Gaga
- “Just the Way You Are” – Bruno Mars
- “Viva la Vida” – Coldplay
- “Imagine” – John Lennon
- “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
- “All You Need is Love” – The Beatles
Kids Music:
- “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
- “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
- “The Wheels on the Bus”
- “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
- “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
- “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
- “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep”
- “The Alphabet Song”
- “Bingo”
- “Three Blind Mice”
Rnb Songs:
- “Fallin'” – Alicia Keys
- “No One” – Alicia Keys
- “If I Ain’t Got You” – Alicia Keys
- “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)” – Alicia Keys
- “Halo” – Beyonce
- “Listen” – Beyonce
- “Irreplaceable” – Beyonce
- “Ordinary People” – John Legend
- “All of Me” – John Legend
- “End of the Road” – Boyz II Men
Country Song:
- “You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
- “Amazed” – Lonestar
- “Jesus, Take the Wheel” – Carrie Underwood
- “Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
- “Somebody Like You” – Keith Urban
- “Breathe” – Faith Hill
- “Need You Now” – Lady A
- “I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack
- “My Front Porch Looking In” – Lonestar
- “Live Like You Were Dying” – Tim McGraw
Recent top songs with C, G, Am, and F Chords
- “Drivers License” – Olivia Rodrigo
- “Good 4 U” – Olivia Rodrigo
- “Peaches” – Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon
- “Leave The Door Open” – Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
- “Save Your Tears” – The Weeknd & Ariana Grande
- “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” – Lil Nas X
- “Levitating” – Dua Lipa
- “Kiss Me More” – Doja Cat ft. SZA
- “Without You” – The Kid LAROI
- “Mood” – 24kGoldn ft. Iann Dior
Tips and Tricks for mastering most piano 4 chord songs
When starting your journey with piano, one of the easiest ways to get playing quickly is to start with the four most common piano chords: C, G, Am, and F. These chords form the backbone of many of the most popular songs and are a great starting point for beginners. Let’s break down how to practice these chords effectively.
- Start Slowly: Don’t rush into trying to play these chords at a fast pace. Start by practicing these chords slowly and with control. This will help you to build muscle memory and accuracy.
- Practice Transitions: Once you’ve got a handle on each individual chord, start to practice transitioning from one chord to another. This can be tricky at first, but with persistence, you’ll start to see improvement.
- Play Along with Songs: There are countless songs that use these four chords. Try to play along with these songs to practice these chords in a musical context. This will not only make your practice more enjoyable, but it will also help to improve your timing and rhythm.
- Use a Metronome: A metronome can be a great tool when practicing these chords. It will help you to keep time and to practice playing these chords at different tempos.
- Practice Regularly: As with any skill, regular practice is key. Try to set aside a little time each day to practice these chords. Even a small amount of consistent practice can lead to big improvements over time.
Remember, the journey of learning an instrument is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way. Happy practicing!