Pieces › Accompanying real hits

Imagine

John Lennon: C – Cmaj7 – F and E7

Imagine is played on the piano, in C: the verse sways between C, C major 7 and F, in steady quarter notes. The chorus goes through F – G – C – E7.

E7 (E-G♯-B-D) contains a G♯: it creates the tension that sets up the chorus again.

The song: John Lennon, 1971 · C major · ≈ 76 BPM

Tips

• For Cmaj7, just add the B with your pinky.
• Play the quarter notes very evenly, with no accents: that’s what gives the song its calm.

The verse

C then Cmaj7 (two beats each), F for one measure, four times.

Verse and chorus with both hands

The verse, then the chorus F – G – C – E7. Left hand: the bass notes in half notes.