The Only 4 Chords You Need to Play 90% of Pop Songs on Piano

If you’ve ever wanted to play pop songs on the piano but found yourself overwhelmed by the number of chords and complicated progressions, we’ve got good news for you: you don’t need to know a hundred different chords to play the vast majority of pop hits. In fact, there are just four simple chords that form the backbone of most pop songs. Mastering these chords will open the door to playing 90% of pop music!

The 4 Chords You Need to Know

The magic lies in the I–V–vi–IV chord progression. These four chords are used in a wide variety of popular songs across multiple decades. Here’s what they are:

1. I Chord (Major) – The root chord, or tonic, of the key.
2. V Chord (Major) – The dominant chord, creating tension that resolves back to the tonic.
3. vi Chord (Minor) – The relative minor chord, which adds a bit of sadness or introspection to the mix.
4. IV Chord (Major) – The subdominant chord, which serves as a smooth transition back to the tonic or dominant.

Let’s break these down using the key of C major as an example. In the key of C, the chords are:

• C (I)
• G (V)
• Am (vi)
• F (IV)

These four chords form the foundation of countless pop songs. Now, let’s take a look at some famous songs that use this simple progression.

Pop Songs with the I–V–vi–IV Progression

1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles – This classic tune is based on the I–V–vi–IV progression, making it super easy for beginners to play. The chord progression goes C – G – Am – F throughout most of the song.
2. “With or Without You” by U2 – Another iconic song that follows the I–V–vi–IV progression, with the chords D – A – Bm – G.
3. “Someone Like You” by Adele – This beautiful ballad is also built around the I–V–vi–IV progression, specifically A – E – F#m – D.
4. “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley – This reggae anthem uses the same basic progression, with C – G – Am – F.
5. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz – Another catchy hit that uses the I–V–vi–IV progression, in the key of C: C – G – Am – F.

As you can see, the I–V–vi–IV progression is a common thread in many well-known songs. It’s the secret ingredient that makes so many pop tunes sound familiar and easy to listen to.

How to Play the Chords on Piano

Let’s quickly go over how to play these four chords on the piano in the key of C major:

1. C (I)
   • Play: C, E, G (these are the notes that make up a C major chord)
2. G (V)
   • Play: G, B, D (these are the notes for a G major chord)
3. Am (vi)
   • Play: A, C, E (these notes form an A minor chord)
4. F (IV)
   • Play: F, A, C (these are the notes for an F major chord)

Once you’ve learned how to play these four chords, try practicing transitioning between them. Start slowly and focus on clean, smooth transitions. As you get more comfortable, you can speed up and play along with your favorite songs!

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be a piano virtuoso to play a ton of popular music. By mastering just four simple chords, you can play 90% of pop songs and impress your friends with your musical skills. Start practicing today and see how quickly you can start playing your favorite tunes!