Lesson 48 of 72 · C – G – Am – F: four chords, thousands of songs
In C major, I – V – vi – IV is C – G – Am – F. This progression carries an amazing number of songs, from Let It Be (The Beatles) to With or Without You (U2) or Someone Like You (Adele), often in other keys.
With the inversions from lesson 46, your right hand barely moves: C (C – E – G), G/B (B – D – G), Am/C (C – E – A) and F/C (C – F – A).
The four chords, around middle C
Did you know?: The Australian comedy group The Axis of Awesome strung together dozens of hits on these same four chords, in a famous sketch: “4 Chords”.
The four chords in their “hit-song” position around middle C, then anywhere on the keyboard.
One whole note per chord, right hand alone. The computer plays the bass. One whole note per chord. Keep your thumb near middle C.
Now with both hands: the bass on the left (C, G, A, F) and the chord on the right, together, on the first beat. Bass and chord together, once per measure.
To improvise, keep just five notes: C, D, E, G, A. That’s the C pentatonic scale: the notes of C major without F and B. It has no half steps, so none of its notes really clashes with the chords.
You already know it: the five black keys from lesson 2 made a pentatonic scale too!
Why this way: A simple limit (five notes, no wrong notes possible) frees your imagination: you can focus on the rhythm and the shape of your phrases. That’s why many improvisation courses start with the pentatonic scale.
Little motifs on the C pentatonic scale: the first note lights up, find the rest by ear. Keep them in mind for your solo!
The computer plays C – G – Am – F on a loop. Improvise with your right hand using the C pentatonic scale (the lit keys): short phrases, rests, and an ending on C.