First 50 Chord Progressions You Should Play on Piano

If you're new to the piano and eager to play the music you love, First 50 Chord Progressions You Should Play on Piano is the perfect place to start. This easy-to-use book from Mark Harrison, a professional keyboardist, composer, and music educator based in Los Angeles, introduces essential chord progressions that form the backbone of countless popular songs, making it an ideal resource for beginners, self-taught players, or anyone looking to strengthen their harmonic skills. Each progression is presented in standard notation with chord symbols, stylistic tips, and references to well-known songs to hear how the progression works in real musical contexts. The chord progressions are organized into sections, beginning with simpler pop and rock progressions featuring two or three chords, and progressing to more advanced combinations from RB, jazz, and blues. Each progression includes two playing examples: one showing the basic chord spelling and the other demonstrating how to play it in a popular music style.

Hal Leonard's First 50 series provides the perfect starting point for new musicians eager to dive into playing their favorite songs. This series features collections for a variety of instruments, including acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, mandolin, piano, and more, with easy to intermediate arrangements of must-know songs. Each song is thoughtfully arranged to remain simple and streamlined while capturing the essence of the original tune, making it easy for players to connect with the music they love. With a diverse selection of hits from iconic artists, the First 50 series helps bridge the gap between learning and playing enjoyable music right from the start. The accompanying online audio tracks allow musicians to hear every note in action, while the Hal Leonard online audio player offers features to loop sections, change tempo, or change keys tailored to individual practice needs.

Learn fun chord progressions in the styles of these bands and popular artists: Adele • The Beatles • Chuck Berry • Bon Jovi • Carpenters • Eric Clapton • Sheryl Crow • Miles Davis • The Doobie Brothers • Earth, Wind Fire • Lady Gaga • Green Day • Jimi Hendrix • Elton John • Van Morrison • Radiohead • The Rolling Stones • Bruce Springsteen • Talking Heads • U2 • and more.

Whether you're learning to accompany yourself or build your confidence at the keyboard, this progressive and practical collection will quickly become a go-to resource. With each practice session, you'll find yourself not just playing notes, but creating sounds that resonate with your own musical taste!