Hi there,
Cait here. I’m the Course Director at the London Contemporary School of Piano, and I speak to countless people on a weekly basis. Many are actively seeking advice on the best ways to start playing the piano, especially when it comes to Improvisation in C Major and mastering Chords in C Major.
Some are total beginners and have never touched a piano before, while others have distant memories of failed attempts and piano teachers who put them off music for life. Sound familiar? Either way, if you’re feeling stuck or don’t know where to start, I have the perfect solution – My Piano Survival Kit.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll share key tips that help me stay on track with my own practice, especially when I’m focusing on improvising or working with C Major chords. This material can be referred to anytime, so there’s no need to feel stuck again! Whether you’re aiming to enhance your improvisation skills or just getting comfortable with C Major chords, I’ve got you covered.
Part 1: The Power of C Major
What do you need to know about improvisation and chords in C Major?
To start, get familiar with the C Major Scale and the first 6 chords within it: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim. There are literally thousands of famous pop songs written using these chords, and they’re perfect for improvisation. From Bruce Springsteen to Adele to Eric Clapton, countless artists have leveraged the simplicity of C Major in their songwriting and performances.
Examples of songs using C Major chords:
Bruce Springsteen – Oasis – Counting Crows – Crowded House – Eric Clapton – Jason Mraz – Bruno Mars – Lenny Kravitz – Sam Smith – Tom Petty – The Beatles – Bill Withers – and many more.
By understanding key concepts and chord components of C Major, you’ll unlock the ability to improvise and play hundreds of songs. Whether you’re jamming or writing, C Major offers a foundation for creativity.
Here’s a quick tutorial on the C Major Scale. Watch it a few times and really familiarize yourself with these chords and their uses in improvisation:
The Power of C Major
