17 ways to play a chord progression

Sign up for HDpiano: hdpiano.com/davidbennett 🎹
Just because you've got the chords for a song, doesn't mean you know how to turn them into a part, so today we are looking at 17 different ways to play chords on piano.
Check out my recent 80 Piano Intros medley: • TOP 80 GREATEST PIANO ...
And, an extra special thanks goes to Chase Heeler, Peter Keller, Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
0:00 Introduction
0:34 Held chords
1:23 Quarter notes
2:25 "The Scientist"
3:28 Top-bottom
4:33 Arpeggios
8:00 Alberti Bass
9:28 HDpiano
10:29 Tresillo
11:22 Dembow
12:17 3:2 Polyrhythm
14:57 4:3 Polyrhythm
16:25 Waltz
17:20 "Turkish March"
18:01 Staccato 8ths
19:48 Staccato Triplets
22:34 Patreon
SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano 🎹

[@alexlishinski9241]

Most educational channel on YT for music. He teaches us crucial things that people don't realize need to be taught.

[@kingloser4198]

And if you're in a rush in the morning and you need something to spread on your toast and someone is hogging it

[@rewdonaghy1305]

Very true

[@simonsanchezkumrich8489]

8 bit music theory is great too

[@andersjjensen]

Signals Music Studio is also worth checking out. He doesn't upload as frequently these days, but his back catalogue is an absolute treasure trove.

[@ClaudioMartella]

by far

[@milenburgjoys]

“Nice cup of tea” and “Pass the Goddamn butter” is a game changer! Always tried too hard to wrap my head around polyrhythms to play them well 😂

[@equolizer]

I've heard it as "not difficult" for 3:2 and "not very difficult" for 3:4.

[@__-em4pi]

imagine it being replaced to a brainrot term 💀

[@rjd9931]

@@equolizer I MUCH PREFER this to the profane mnemonic. Thank you.

[@douglaspantz]

My high school music teacher said when he said the “pass the goddamn butter” mnemonic in a band, one of the band members got very mad and he had to change it to “pass the goshdang butter”

[@douglaspantz]

@@equolizer”not very difficult” seems to accent the quarter notes instead of the triplets to me

[@Echo-22-538]

The 'Nice Cup of Tea' and 'Pass the God Damn Butter' were amazing. The pure British-ness of them 😂

[@beatxt]

I don't think Liam or Noel G would say 'God Damn' !

[@fozzle6503]

As a guitarist, this is the best explanation of how piano is used in popular music I've ever seen, Kudos!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊😊 fantastic!

[@AdamKent]

Me, 23 mins ago: No way will I watch this whole video. Me now: Well, pass the goddamn butter.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

❤️❤️❤️

[@paulrandig]

I remember learning classical piano in the seventies and eighties when curiosity and fun were not welcome when learning "serious" music. And I remember experimenting with altering the arpeggios of Bach's preludium. I played them upside down, as rock n' roll, syncopated or in triplets and that was the moment something clicked and I discovered that I was not tied to the will of some long-dead composers but that i could alter and recreate music or invent some of my own. And I also found out what a genius Bach was, but that is another story...

[@ShaharHarshuv]

Didn't really learn anything new but I'm glad a new generation of musicians will have that videos. I learned these over years of just picking up small things every now and then.

[@user-ne6mm4km2f]

bruh did i just see the note's names on the sheet music?? for someone who cant read, thank you david

[@EMan753]

Agreed!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Great!!!

[@andersjjensen]

@@DavidBennettPiano YUP! Keep doing exactly that!

[@unknownkingdom]

Just learn to read it's not hard

[@justie1220]

@@unknownkingdomalmost as hard as not being an absolute asshat, eh? 😉😉

[@slidenaway]

Wow!! This is a crazy valuable resource any songwriter can refer to!! I’ve been writing songs for 25 years but… I think I’m gonna check this next time I write a song, and really think about which technique to use. Thanks David!!

[@kpowell9231]

Must have been hard to not play 'still dre' during that staccato section. You're a better man than me

[@YingwuUsagiri]

0:40 It's cool how Hosier is SO recognisable that I immediately thought of it when David played the held chords in that specific way.

[@tentothepowerof10]

Same!

[@JorWat25]

4:33 too. Even before the chord changed, I knew exactly what song was coming up.

[@jean.marion]

I thought the video was going to be about I V VI III, but it turned out to be about piano hand patterns. Had I known that I would have clicked on it sooner.

[@MKPiatkowski]

I have such a hard time playing different rhythms with each hand. This is very helpful!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gflorin7761]

When you showed staccato triplets, immediately the song "Hold The Line" by Toto came to mind 😎

[@philj4417]

Thank you so much for making polyrhythms more accessible, it really helps to think of the composite rather than trying to split your brain in half. You're a great teacher.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@thesovietunion9542]

david not resolving moonlight sonata should be considered a warcrime

[@zaralbsstuff]

Thanks, thesovietunion9542

[@drewdavis2392]

David had to cut it short to avoid the automatic copyright strike from beyond the grave.

[@tentothepowerof10]

​@@drewdavis2392 moonlight sonata is copyrighted?

[@swymaj02]

​@@tentothepowerof10course not😅😅

[@tentothepowerof10]

@@swymaj02 my man, may I ask why would you get striked BC of an public domain music? From the comment above me?

[@povilasl5383]

More videos on how to play chord progressions. Chord connectors are amazing and these videos are like songwriting GOLD

[@MartiA1973]

I aim for an hour per day of practise. On day when that is too much to ask, a David Bennett video is my go-to inspiration.

[@AnNguyen-np7ox]

Now I'm able to play poly rhythm with your useful tips. "Nice cup of tea” and “Pass the Goddamn butter” are really amazing way to start. Thanks a lot, David!

[@nickchambers3935]

The most impressive part of this video is not just the examples given but how each one seamlessly leads in to the next

[@arielfernandezfuenzalida9202]

One of my favourite arpeggios is the “turning tables” one, by Adele ❤

[@katiukulele]

Ukulele player here and I'm still here to learn. 2 minutes in and already learned something I can do on the uke better!

[@katiukulele]

Believe it or not, I did pick up a few strumming patterns from this video. Thank you David!

[@user-xe1jn9yj3w]

Awesome! How about a session on how to use the 3 piano pedals effectively- una corda, sostenuto, and damper pedals?

[@SirBenjiful]

The section at the end about fitting your piano part into a band setting was interesting, I'd love to see a video from you dedicated to that topic.

[@christinedunne5348]

Excellent video as always, and you've convinced me that I should invest in 88 notes to fill out the top and bottom parts with my group

[@JKenjiLopezAlt]

Just want to say, I really appreciate your totally smooth transitions between songs and your ability to speak and teach while making them. Really great stuff David.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks 😊

[@timraffelt3372]

I love these sentences for the polyrhythm, because I really struggle to ceep them upright

[@DacalLP]

I love chord progressions

[@maxgregorycompositions6216]

Most do. I imagine a song using just one chord would be very dull lol.

[@BenD_Bass]

The nonchalantness of you saying pass the god damn butter is great lol. Once again, great video dude

[@bigmatt94]

You had me dying with Dembow as someone who grew up in the Caribbean lol. It's really "Them Bow” with bow as to bow to someone. It's just that in Jamaican Patios that translates to "Dem Bow" Actually the proper English translation would be "They Bow”

[@frtzkng]

PPS: Thank you also so much for not only sparking my interest in music theory, but also teaching it in a very intuitive way.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!😊😊😊

[@llsnickers2372]

It’s wild how your videos come out when I’m studying these topics. I’ve been studying scores to figure out what to do with piano accompaniment and this video is just what I needed.

[@picolete]

That staccato at 18:12 made me appreciate the beaty of the female hand

[@boommindstorm3718]

I came in to this expecting the same 4 chords in 17 different songs. I was confused for a moment but when I realized this was actually an educational video I was presently surprised! Learned a lot from this one, thank you

[@MrRichieRides]

As someone who was never actually taught piano and taught myself this is so helpful!!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Great!

[@pastorandreaswendt]

Thanks again. A lot of ideas a guitarist can adopt, too. ;-)

[@ThomasNimmesgern]

22:00 David taken out of context: "you can really get high" 😁

[@michaelleue7594]

You keep making videos that fit perfectly into the gaps of what other music YTers think constitutes a rounded explanation of music composition. I wonder how you can see those gaps so clearly when so many experts are completely blind to them.

[@hannakoller8466]

I'm surprised you didn't include Bohemian Rhapsody in the staccato part, truly would've been magnifico

[@chascoppard]

Your lessons are always fantastic, but this is particularly good. So much practical knowledge packed into 20 mins.

[@christopherfryda]

I absolutely love this channel and I recommend it to every musician I know!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

❤❤

[@grayumkay]

This was such a great video, very informative and useful.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!!

[@RedPianist]

this is such an informative video, you deserve so much more attention!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks 😊

[@LordVestik]

Many of us need this.

[@mau_1135]

I love this channel. I finally got an A in music class because of it!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊😊😊

[@hellofromdavid]

One of your best yet, David. Great - relaxed - presentation :-)

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!

[@ethantanatsiwasesedza8305]

Really great lesson as always Dave. "Pass the god damn butter" definitely gave me a good chuckle 🤣🎯🎶

[@map-reduce]

Your final comments about fitting in were really helpful as I'm wanting to do a bit of playing with bands (been playing just solo so far.) I'd heard it's really easy for a pianist to annoy the guitarist and bass player but without giving any advice on how to not do so. Nice to get some practical ideas with an explanation, thanks!

[@5bf4o]

Big David! I love the way you show the concepts and its work on basicly every musical instruments. Great content!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks 😊

[@ThomasMeeson]

I’ve been looking forward to this one since the pole

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊

[@Dylanthestudent]

I’m composing for a college assignment and I struggle with creating rhythms on the piano thanks so much for this video David 😊

[@slidenaway]

Omg shout out Fake Empire!! First mention of The National in a David Bennett video?? I’ve always been confused by the time signature of that song, thought it was 3 then 4 later. But this makes so much more sense!!

[@rubenjohnson7376]

Who else was expecting @8:15 , "But perhaps the most famous use of this particular pattern is not Domenico's work but Berlioz of the Artistocats."

[@wkale90]

Do re mi do do re mi do

[@clausappel8086]

Me!

[@fredmcveigh9877]

excellent as usual.

[@JoeSim8s]

Outstanding, thank you!

[@Araye]

i really enjoyed this lesson. thank you

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Great 😊

[@Poetslove]

Fantastic video as always David! "The scientist" was the first song I could ever play when I learned the piano at 22. It's so simple but so beautiful.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks 😊

[@syphon47]

I’ve watched almost all your videos and this is one of the best. Great job David

[@RobertNasir]

SO VERY USEFUL! This is the best lesson I've seen, for the beginning piano player who's learned basic chords, and is now wondering what they can do with them to PLAY ACTUAL MUSIC! Thanks for this one ... for a LOT of players, this will be The Lesson We Needed Most, and didn't even know we needed it! It'll certainly be on my Most Shared list.

[@juliusaitken]

Excellent guide as usual

[@wozzywick]

I've been looking for a good video on piano patterns for ages. Thank you!

[@anandmkurien]

I have played all these, but thanks a ton for theorizing and categorizing this! Gives great perspective! You are a fantastic Pedagogue!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks 😊

[@Researcher30473]

Very clear instruction and naming of the chords..

[@adrianglamorgan2571]

I'm grateful for this exposition of 17 chord progressions/rhythms - very useful and quite generous of you. Your skill and ease are very encouraging. Thank you.

[@jpinoniemi]

Awesome, thank you!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

No worries!

[@darrenknowles842]

So glad to see you got to a million! Much deserved!

[@SamoylovaAlisa]

This is exactly the topic I've been wondering about recently. Thank you!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊😊😊

[@gyanlobaba231]

please make a video on all levels of harmony explained, reharmonisation,voice leading. complete from zero to advance. And all left hand piano patterns List of topics to cover: 1)Chords Chord Tones Guide Tones Available Tensions Avoid Notes Chord Ambiguity Chord Substitution Polychords Slash Chords Suspended Chords Voice Leading ii)Chord Voicings Block [Close] Spread [Open] Shell Three Note Drop 2 Rootless Quartal/So What Tone Clusters Powell Monk Upper Structures iii)Left Hand Techniques Strumming ‘Comping Walking Bassline Tenths & Tenth Triads Stride Vamping Side-slipping Passing Chords Three Handed Technique Locked Hands iv)Progressions Diatonicism Circle of Fifths ii-V7-I Modulation Functionality Chromaticism Disguised Chords Passing Chords Borrowed Chords Secondary Chords Harmonic Rhythm V)Improvisation Tension & Resolution Inside vs Outside Horizontal vs Vertical Target vs Passing Notes Guide Tone Lines Phrasing Chord Mapping Common Base Scale Mistake Recovery Licks

[@nilsloydl5075]

This is exactly what I needed. Great works thanks!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks 😊

[@rabbishekelstein]

BRILLIANT VIDEO DAVID

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks 😊

[@scriobhme]

Thank you so much! This is the video I needed when I started playing the piano 3 years ago. Now the information is available to new piano players :)

[@Mezilesialan]

Superb work David. Such a pleasure to learn from you. Thanks. Alan.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rabidbadgerbackingtracks4480]

Thanks for this super helpful lesson.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

You're very welcome!

[@febblepebble]

personally I always love creating one rhythm by going between my two hands, similar to 'Take Five'. and something that I found crucial to learn as a pianist in a band was to not play a bass line. when playing solo I tend to do octaves in my left hand but that doesn't work in a band with a bassist, so once I figured out I could play chords in both hands and pass the rhythm between them, or even play chords in my left hand and do a little melody in my right, it was an absolute game changer

[@pooriabaniardalan6961]

"Thank you so much, David, for your incredible content! Your videos are not only educational but also truly inspiring. You've made learning piano and music theory both accessible and enjoyable. Keep up the amazing work!" Pooria from IRAN

[@gasparucciox9706]

super vid!

[@lblb3]

Another excellent lesson. Thank you so much, David!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad you liked it!

[@TheRavinoth]

An incredible lesson, thank you!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!

[@petercarlson-belanger7103]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks so much!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊😊

[@amherst88]

You're a great teacher David ❤

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😃

[@theepisofdiabolos-dj5xh]

you are a great teacher!!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!!

[@southsideronnie]

Aways a very good learning experience to watch one of your videos David! Thank you oh so very much!!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

❤❤

[@auroprasaddas6335]

This video is so helpful for me, when i write and arrange songs

[@anthema_athens]

more of these pls

[@zozikfreeman9403]

Thank you, David. Awesome lesson, I always enjoy watching your videos. Thank you so much 💙

[@DavidBennettPiano]

My pleasure!

[@stouffers3]

This is one of your best videos!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!!

[@6p00l]

I'd love some more suggestions for "swinged music" like for jazz or blues ! thanks and great video !

[@NomeDeArte]

REALLY love this one. Thank you for all the hard work you put on the channel David! Best regards from Argentina

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad you enjoy it! 😊😊

[@paulinskipukprogressive4903]

Stunning video David - Really good material made clear and accessible

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Many thanks!

[@frtzkng]

PS: The piano in 'Clocks' by Coldplay is basically a tresillo pattern of Cm/G chords played as a descending arpeggio. In eigth notes: E♭-C-G-E♭-C-G-E♭-C. So, a blend of examples #7 and #10.

[@grzegorzgrzybek3736]

This is the video I needed - added to all my playlists and bookmarks. Thanks David!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rkbrown83]

David, I am a huge fan of your channel. You teach music theory in a simple, easy to understand way and you also make it so much fun to watch. Keep up the great work!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

My pleasure!

[@tentothepowerof10]

I love your vids, found new was to play chords on my songs!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

❤❤❤

[@tom_4615]

This one of your best I have to say.. the choices for the examples are just absolutely spot on.. like you couldn’t have chosen better examples

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊😊😊

[@pj6100]

Your videos are always excellent.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you very much!

[@timdoring8571]

After watching the section on the 'nice cup of tea' rhythm, I immediately had to check what it sounded like in comparison to the syncopated rhythm in 2/4. Those two always had me confused back in music school because we were never played them back to back. Now that I have them laid out in my daw I think I'll write a piece using both of them!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

They are certainly close! The tresillo rhythm is almost like a “lazy triplet”, and tresillo is literally the Spanish word for triplet. (Which can be confusing!)

[@kamehousedragon9661]

Thank you so much. Rhythmic patterns are just not discussed as often as chord progressions and scales are.

[@chrisminer5884]

Useful and well presented video

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@kayn8703]

I used to only watch your videos to play along with your Beatles games. I'm so glad I started watching videos like these b/c they've been so helpful for understanding music better!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad you like them!

[@TigerRogers0660]

David, i enjoyed this video so much!! Top marks to you for doing an educational - but easy to understand video!! This will add a lot to my piano playing.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad you enjoyed it!