Matching Piano Chords To Melodies (Piano Lesson)

So you’ve learned how to play the melody of your favorite song (or maybe you’ve even composed your own melody), but now you need chords to match it. How do you know which chords will fit under your melody notes? Here are FOUR ways!
⚡️Get the sheet music:
►www.pianote.com/blog/matching...
⚡️Ready to Get Started on the Piano? Learn how with 4 free and easy lessons!
► www.pianote.com/getting-started
⚡️Learn to play piano quicker with chords! Enjoy 6 free lessons here:
► www.pianote.com/chord-hacks
⚡️Ready to level up your playing? Get personal coaching tips and structured lessons: enjoy your free 7-day trial to Pianote!
► www.pianote.com/trial
⚡️Follow us:
►Facebook: / pianoteofficial
►Instagram: / pianoteofficial
►TikTok: / pianoteofficial
► The Note Blog: www.pianote.com/blog/
⚡️Follow Lisa:
► Instagram: / lisawittmusic
ABOUT LISA:
Lisa Witt has been teaching piano for +20 years and in that time has helped hundreds of thousands of students learn to play the songs they love. Lisa received classical piano training through the Royal Conservatory of Music, but she has since embraced popular music and playing by ear in order to accompany herself and others. She is a songwriter and recording artist. Lisa’s contagious enthusiasm will have you excited to practice and return to the keys for your next lesson. Her teaching style focuses on you, making lessons encouraging and fun.
#chords #melodies #piano #pianolesson

[@PianoteOfficial]

Ready to level up your playing? Get personal coaching tips and structured lessons: enjoy your free 7-day trial to Pianote! ► www.pianote.com/trial

[@BigAmp2012]

She's not good ya'll, She is Great. Thank you for this video.

[@heretohavefun5646]

boo. Hello.

[@noemiabalos8958]

Hi Lisa. Thank you so much for this video. Are you a mind reader as well? Just really want to know how to play appropriate left-hand chords for the song that I wanted to play and BOOM!!! there you are with this tutorial. Thanks a million, trillion times. Stay safe always and keep teaching.

[@budm.1450]

Hi. I'm a 73 year old man who's played guitar and banjo for more than 60 and 55 years respectively. I recently bought a Yamaha P-125 digital piano and have watched literally hundreds of KZbin videos on how to learn to play the piano. I just wanted to say that I find your way of teaching things about the piano to be something I can understand, and enjoy very much so I'm sticking with you. Thank you for making it easy for an old fella to learn the piano. You're an awesome teacher.

[@PianoteOfficial]

Thank you so much Bud!! Good luck with everything!

[@bleonardyou]

What a coincidence! I’m pretty similar. I’m 71 and have played the guitar almost as long. The difference is that I only started on the banjo two to three years ago. And I’m almost to my third month on the piano. I’ve wanted to play it for years and never did. A few months ago, I realized that I can keep saying that I wished that I had started the piano earlier or I can say that I did start playing it.

[@Musical.Princess]

@@bleonardyou wow nice that’s a long time

[@jordanm5677]

she really is, i love her teaching, her voice, body language, everything. A+++

[@velcroman11]

I’m A 71 y.o. If you are really serious about developing good skills in the time you have left, get yourself a proper teacher. Remember you are 73 NOT 17!

[@Ayubgn]

"Your ears are awesome, they don't wanna hear something that's not good." You are awesome

[@PedroMansilhaBranco]

Ayub GN you mean electronic music?

[@luckyluke4276]

Angery Bear trap music

[@buchananalvin3628]

interesting points ,if anyone else needs to find out about best piano courses try 4LearnPianoEasy.blogspot.com Ive heard some interesting things about it and my work buddy got great results with it.

[@men_del12]

Everything is awesome!

[@nustada]

My ears are not awesome, sounded fine to me.

[@meganm9488]

"It works, it's dark, and it's a choice."

[@UnityCZ]

The dark side of the piano playing is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be...unnatural...

[@Owl325]

My parents summoning me from the abyss to enter this world from my mother’s wretched womb

[@eddieanderson7100]

@@Owl325 🤣😭

[@sebastian-go6rx]

@@Owl325 lmao

[@jcblessed]

Thank you! I’m grateful!

[@jfarr206]

“When it stops sounding good (change the chord)” - What a super simple way to think of it. You are a gifted teacher!

[@davidlronald]

Your lessons are so practical and straight forward. Please don't stop making these!

[@PianoteOfficial]

We love love helping people learn to play :)

[@abgartheblack8832]

@@TLllllll it's the views that give money and ads . Not the subscribed people

[@djsilent01]

Yea please don’t stop. This is about the best breakdown videos if seen

[@criconinvestments7723]

@@TLllllll Have you tried looking up some hip hop chords

[@afiq4944]

True. I totally agree, she can teach through video, not every pianist can do that. now we can really switch to smart nation, for studying online. I went to piano class, trust me she is helpful, i gain extra knowledge n for skill improvement.

[@rmp5s]

I really wish people weren't so terrified of "music theory". Theory is just a shortcut...it's knowing what's likely to work, when and why. Don't be afraid of theory, people.

[@PianoteOfficial]

Theory is awesome :)

[@rmp5s]

Hell yea it is!! It's somewhat of a dirty word, though. People are terrified of it and they really shouldn't be. If you can count to 7, you're good to go. lol

[@xcxbarb97]

If the teacher's good you're not afraid lmao

[@drnarwhal2888]

Going into college, I thought I'd be having a miserable time in music theory class because I've always hated not understanding it. After 3 terms, I've discovered that it is now one of my favorite things to learn. Once you dive into the world of music theory, your whole perspective on it changes for the better.

[@TheGavranatar]

but i'm scared..

[@ryanturner7051]

"What happens if we play an am, it's dark and it works, it's a choice" - Instantly got my vote, so many people would have instantly shunned the idea but they get it ^^

[@Catz1a]

it works nicely anyways bc it's on the lyric "when skies are grey" it would be cool to move into the minor for that moment

[@jacobsully1999]

Catz1a The iv chord also works, in this case F minor. Landing on that when the skies are gray part REALLY impacts you if you want the sadness to show on that line.

[@TheJohnreeves]

That version would absolutely be in the background of some movie preview or something, maybe a horror movie with a bunch of spooky dolls. Chucky or something.

[@djkozarkozzer]

Excellent for this beginner!!!! Thank you! Thank you for not speaking too fast and for not moving too fast! You are calm and FUN and smart! I'm almost 63 and just not starting to learn piano. My husband is so happy because he wants me to accompany him & his guitar in worship songs.

[@w0mblemania]

This was excellent, thank you. This kind of instruction really is fantastic for beginners; it's so hard to find good material on KZbin that actually explains these things in a practical way, instead of just saying "do what I do, and try to follow along". Cheers.

[@PianoteOfficial]

Thrilled to hear this- Thank you!

[@signetulupan]

You mean they're giving you DESTRUCTIONS, NOT instructions, right!? Haha, actually, not funny, tho!

[@eunicebrothers1950]

Just found you on KZbin as I’m trying to learn how to play melodies on the piano using chords rather than sheet music. I’m a school teacher for over 35 years and I’m also a Master Teaching, meaning I teach new teachers how to teach! After watching your videos, there’s only one word to describe your teaching methodology and delivery…..SUPERB! You are truly gifted in teaching others how to play the piano. You communicate clearly and are able to break down a complex concept into small digestible bites. I am so thankful for your teaching and commitment to help others become better players. I’ve subscribed and hopefully become more proficient at playing melodies by ear. Many hugs to you! 👍💕

[@anna-liisapitkaaho-pussila770]

If the teaching had been like this when I tried to play piano, it would have been awesome and I would not have stopped! I am definitely starting to play my piano again - thank you soooo much! 💛

[@gustavopaulette3496]

Excuses

[@DavidDaliva]

Dude I have been searching for a video like this for the longest time

[@jeswinamosphilip]

Me too

[@lindareese4579]

Thank you for the lessons!!!

[@Kapomafioso]

Oh, oh, oh For the longest time.

[@paddysands3582]

@@Kapomafioso my thoughts exactly well done sir

[@wodeyaeric5351]

This is the missi g link I had in my music composition journey. I am now inching closer to the art of composition. The only remaining piece is how does one come up with such a melody for those particular lyrics? How do words give rise to the melody or how does melody give rise to the words? Answers to this will take me a long way into composition.

[@LairyValino]

You're literally the best music teacher here in youtube

[@PianoteOfficial]

You are very sweet. Thank you!

[@OrangeDynamo]

Lairy Valino you should check out their paid program, it’s even better than their KZbin infobits!

[@bubzuru]

@@PianoteOfficial i wish you could teach me , shame i live in the uk

[@gustavopaulette3496]

Yea right. You must have never had a decent teacher if you think this clown is actually good.

[@Cobwobbler]

Thank you for making the clearest instructions for making chords fit a melody. I've learnt more in your 10 minute video than 2 years of piano lessons. Keep doing what you do. Your bright cheery personality make learning a joy.

[@michellelawrence2574]

Gurl, U have no idea how many times and how many folks I asked this question to and no one has been able to give a concrete answer. Thank you so much for sharing. I’m 64, am I too old to learn to play? Keeping hope alive!!!

[@PianoteOfficial]

That makes me so happy to hear. Thank you :)

[@MorseCodeStutters]

Wow I love how straightforward your lessons are. It's like anyone without even a musical background can learn from it, but it's not dumbed down at the same time. It's just concise, understandable, and challenging enough to make newbies want to explore a bit more later.

[@PianoteOfficial]

Thank you very much!!! That is exactly what I was trying to do here :)

[@changliu7123]

OMG, this is the best piano lesson video that I have ever seen!! Really love it. it is straight forward and easy to pick up for practice. Plus you have the great energy and passion for this free video. I am willing to pay for it!

[@izzyreal2346]

5:56 when people ask me why I always listen to sad music...

[@robertnewell5057]

So simple, yet so perfect. Beautifully taught. You instill confidence, which is so important in listening for chord changes

[@isaiahhiggins]

I've been playing piano for 8 years now, but have never really delved into chords and harmonization. Your lessons make it so easy to understand and exciting to learn. Thank you so much!

[@AnNguyen-us9bt]

Wow. I've never seen a more simple and easy to understand explanation in my life. Thank you so much

[@Nicholaschon610]

the way you explain things with a sense of subtle excitement/glee makes me really enjoy learning from you

[@poeticprincee9750]

Why didn’t I find this lady a longtime ago? She is so great and makes this whole thing look easy Woaw!! You are sent directly from heaven!

[@aloha1005]

She is super good! What piano teacher! Play with chords made so simple with her. Perfecct for those learning to play a bit. If she makes this simole, imagine following more advanced lessons with her. Great work.

[@Auoric]

These are lessons that we can really use even for a casual musician. Thank you!

[@bridges5659]

Hi. Good presentation . I am self taught on the keyboard and piano since 1985. I don't have a clue about reading a music sheet since I play by ear. I started with right hand melodies , Single finger , holding chords with my right hand and then matched the three fingered chord with my left hand and as I went along , I learnt new tricks like striking a fourth key with either left or right hand that makes it sound great . You also become 70 to 80 % ambidextrous eventually if you weren't already 100 % before you started to play . People who are born ambidextrous are talented and lucky. I also play the Indian harmonium where you can hold just the right hand chord , three or four finger with the melody. This instrument is available for left hand players also . You have to pump the bellow for air to the reeds with one hand and press the keys with the other much similar to an accordian. I also play the harmonica and a bit of the two piece tabla , Indian drums which is very difficult to learn. My advice to learners is that , buy a professional keyboard arranger and or workstation, if you can afford it in 76 or 61 key. Yamaha , Korg , Roland have some great keyboards available that have around average of 300 voices , including many versions of piano example grand piano , electric piano , honky Tonky , cp stage and many more and modern technology has made them sound original. You also have styles from all around the world and depending on the keyboard , you can download midi , wav and mp3 styles via usb or sd card. Very versatile when it comes to keyboards , most importantly you eventually learn ' one man band ' on a keyboard . Play and sing with styles, selecting different instruments which have buttons to preset. It's almost the same as changing chords on a piano but not exactly , slight difference in timing . Three fingered chords or single finger on the left of the keyboard changes the bass , rhythm and other accompanied instruments while you play your melody on the right , changing instruments for interludes example , whilst you are singing , select strings or soft piano and play an interlude on brass , guitar or saxophone . You have break , fill-ins and 2 to 4 variations of the same beat or style example , hit your fill-in button when you come back to chorus. Keyboards also feature transpose functions example , where you can play a 'C' chord on the 'G' keys either higher or lower octave , +12 to -12 settings , scale change settings and fine tuning button or dial to accommodate your voice. You can overlay or use strings while playing conventional piano , set to dual voice. I've mastered one man band . I have a Yamaha dgx 230, 76 keys and a Roland e09 in. You guys out there , don't be afraid of learning any instrument . It's not complicated if you attempt to play the instrument that you are passionate about. Look after and take good care of your instrument and respect it. Your talent will manifest itself. It's better to try hard and not fail , rather than to fail to try hard. Also keep calm when you practice. Sorry for a long story but I couldn't resist sharing what I've learnt.

[@Yatone]

Not only do you teach so well but also have a beautiful speaking and singing voice as well! ❤ Thank you!

[@KaruveliRaSaMahendran]

Chords to Melody is great tip for every composer who always come up with melody first. Thank you. Also useful if you don't have the chords for your melody.

[@psicologiailustrada]

Best piano teacher on youtube

[@arpitgoyalgg]

Probably in the world

[@mynameisirrelevant46]

You're a great teacher ..you teach in simple terms.

[@chriswilkes236]

absolutely love this. great teaching. You set up the problem, go through and them summaries. Very helpful. Thanks so much!

[@devidasdandgaonkar6421]

Excellent! You made it so easy.Tried that on new song and it worked.Thanks once again.

[@Riya-qb1kz]

I love you for reall!!!! This was the exact thing i was looking for and just couldn't find it. Thank you so much!!

[@davejuiceman]

Little things keep falling into place I'm loving how I'm slowing pulling off a tune, Thankyou, great teacher and fun.

[@alexandermikhailov2481]

Just brilliant. So simple, to the point and produced well. Bravo!

[@nthabelengmokoena1132]

You are so gifted... And you really want us to get it

[@nnyaup1]

Very nicely taught one of the most crucial lessons in piano. Thank you 🙏

[@marymiller436]

This was very helpful .... I am an intermediate level adult student but had never had this theory explained to me by my teacher of 4 years when I took in grade school. Now I am taking lessons again and my teacher wants me to improvise!! I actually am playing lots of classical from books which is my comfort zone. I'm trying to learn what he wants me to now and he is challenging me!! This was explained very well!! Thank you!

[@nanaadwowa9436]

You're an amazing teacher. I've been struggling with this for a while...thank you so much.❤

[@chriswilkes236]

Your lessons are a great help. Just played 'You are my sunshine' with perfect chords for the first time, and it's all down to you. I'll be playing piano in some low dive before you know it ...

[@harikrishnans1421]

This is exactly what I needed. Thank you.

[@joedinkinsjr.677]

I love this channel so much! So friendly, warm, and inspirational. Keep up the amazing lessons!

[@sulmangill3135]

You are one of the best piano teacher . I like your teaching style. God bless you my dear sister and your family

[@truthforever5508]

Think you are absolutely brilliant - lovely way of teaching with a great personality

[@Thir13eenBeatz]

Incredibly articulate, helpful and likeable... "You make me happy, when skies are grey" :) thank you

[@prasadpatil7478]

You made this SO simple. Thanks a ton on breaking this down to simplicity and ease.

[@parthbelsare3458]

You really simplify everything. Hats off!

[@yormanqwertyuiop]

You're an awesome teacher, thanks for the videos. Greetings from Venezuela!

[@BarryFence]

What an awesome lesson! Great job and you have a lovely singing voice.

[@benwhitworth8881]

Beautifully clear and practical explanation, thank you!

[@rmz05r98]

I truly enjoy your lessons! You make them so simple and fun yet lots to learn each time! Thank you!

[@simonvuong3678]

That was fantastic. Could you also make a video about “breaking up chords so it sounds a little more musical?” I don’t understand how that jumped happened. We went from 3 keys per chord to match the melody and that made sense but how did you know how to break it up?

[@constipatedpotato3745]

1) instead of 3 notes in the chord (C chord: C E G) she took out the middle note of the chord (C chord: C G) and is playing "fifths" aka the first and last notes of the chord 2) instead of playing the chord in a block style( all the notes at once) she arpeggiates the notes by playing the first note in the chord with the corresponding melody note like before, and then the second note in the chord and then another melody note by itself. C chord "break up" example) RH melody: C...C...D...E... ... E.... .... LH: ... .... ... C...G... ... G She still playing the same chords in left hand but she just playing the notes ( except the middle one, throw that one away) individually within the chord

[@blontzo5408]

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

[@subarugt165]

Your lesson is easy to follow with the highlighted keys and your explanation. You are a very good teacher, keep on teaching. Thanks for the lesson.

[@ivanrojasperu]

I've just bought a piano and ran into your channel. Love your delivery and your methodology. I understand everything and feel like I'm making progress. Thank you so much. Outstanding work.

[@elvirjade4742]

Super cute and awesome teacher! Thank you, always have some melody in the head, now I can actually play it

[@joyc.5861]

I love the way you teach! I used to play piano when I was younger, and now I will surely keep you as my guide to relearn it all again!! Thank you!

[@bubblebath2892]

I have been looking for this so hard , Hell nobody puts it this way- so concise and amazing

[@trevorsalloum3643]

Great work Lisa! Exactly what I was looking for. Well explained in a thorough and relaxed manner. Love it!

[@PastorJamesEzekiel1096]

Thank you so much... it helped me a lot..... ofcourse its a small lesson but very useful lesson......

[@kushmirproduction2881]

Superb I was searching for this type of tutorial for a long time

[@unityaboriginelove6595]

I had to watch over and over again. Your teaching is so beautiful and you have made my day playing that song. I used to sing it to my daughter when she was a baby.

[@blackburn116]

You are so AWESOME!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us all!

[@bluerose234]

This is how I used to figure out the chords for my favorite melodies, although I am not a trained pianist. I had a keyboard at home which displays the chord or key we strick. And I learned the names of common notes and chords that way. And I loved to experiment with different chords, especially the minor ones...Unfortunately I had to leave my keyboard behind when I got married and moved to another country. But we might buy a keyboard soon and I can't wait to play it!!!

[@gabrielladavid7988]

You have no idea how long I've been looking for a video like this ♡ Thankyou so much! God bless:)

[@PianoteOfficial]

So glad you liked it!

[@shillcreativeworkshop]

I just love your video's,. You've taken what seems so complicated and present it in such an understandable way.

[@walt234234]

I've been looking for a channel like this for a while. You have a way of teaching Piano that works really well for me. Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@beautifulgatemovies]

Wish I saw your video many months ago. You are a star!

[@MrDaryca]

Excellent tutorial, many thanks! By the way, very nice lighting of the video, not to mention the smile and the cool shirt :)

[@PianoteOfficial]

Thank you!!!

[@marjoriecodillo19]

You are really great at explaing things in a simple way.. thank you so much. 👍😄 Been looking for someone like you who can teach it easily.. Greetings from the Philippines 😄

[@ashleyrandria578]

Hi Lisa, Ur lessons are easy to understand n u've shown much patience to all of us, thank u 😊

[@adorationxofficial]

This is Awesome! I found my teacher.

[@kimw491]

I loved this video! Really clear and helpful, and made me wish I'd had the chance to watch something like this as a teenager. The only thing I was puzzled by was the idea that the starting note helps usually indicates the key. For this particular song, I'm more familiar with the melody starting on the fifth note, not the root note (although I have heard both options). In general, isn't it a safer bet to look at the end note and ignore the starting note, if you're trying to determine the key?

[@richardgreen8959]

You are fabulous!!! Doing the lockdown lesson have been a great distraction. Thank you so much. From London

[@anyamonyanya]

I looovveee the way you teach so clearly and with a sweet, fun demeanor. It uncommon to find something like this. THANK YOU!

[@senyomidodzi]

You are a heaven sent teacher in music. Keep it up. Watching from Africa. You are a good teacher.

[@Blackchaosvortex]

1:43 "We're in the KFC" okay, got it

[@cesszeiiz7932]

Lol

[@mbakiera1943]

1000iq

[@liberalparty2579]

Fuck you so much blackchaos hahahaha fuck you hahahaa... You make my gums bleed! 😈😈😈

[@TrueGritProductions]

She said "key". Maybe you should learn English or get some ear training.

[@humanbeing1429]

@@TrueGritProductions lol that was just a joke my dear. I hope you were just joking too because the tornado that swept over your skies was too huge to miss.

[@juliesmith4215]

You explain things so clearly and at a nice steady pace. Thank you!

[@marionfanning4668]

You have made playing the piano an actual possibility, with you great teaching and your wonderful smile and can do attitude. I love your videos. You are a truly amazing teacher, Marion, 😅👍💕

[@avishkardurgapershad6761]

This is literally exactly what I've been looking for. I studied north Indian classical music on an harmonium, which is very similar to a piano and so I've chosen to move over to piano, but now I have fluent dexterity with my right hand and not my left, any suggestions?

[@franciscruz869]

woahh i just thgt of how to find the chords and its following mee its magical

[@michaelsidabutar2860]

I just cant explain how good you are at teaching..

[@Fong68]

Thank you so much for making such practical lessons. You make it so much easier forward beginners like me to instantly learn how to make better sounding music. Please don't stop teaching - you are a great teacher!

[@allanjeong]

Yes! The general rule of thumb for finding the basic chords to play with songs is to play the basic chords that carry the melodic notes played on the down beats, Or explained in a different way that is much easier and faster to execute in real-time: Play the melodic note on the next down beat as note 1, 3, or 5 of the basic chord :-)

[@gibsondorce6423]

First time tuning in. Your approach is very impressive and palpable. I love your energy and spirit. Thank you.

[@pauldad1]

Brilliant. It's a brief but perfectly formed and complete lesson. There is no sense of ego getting in the way here, but just a genuine desire to empower those who want to learn. Deceptively simple and straightforward, this is a powerful learning experience - wow, I just learned something so enlightening today, thank you very much, you are a very gifted teacher indeed please keep going!

[@prabhatchandekar2963]

Beautifully explained in a very simple way, thanks for sharing, definitely makes a difference.

[@gabbishleegifted4752]

It’s so interesting what adding that 7 (e) to that F chord did to the sound and feel of the melody. Normally that does work yet of course it didn’t really here. Simple but interesting to contemplate. But might be fun to use that for a reharm project

[@jacobsully1999]

The Fmaj7 would be nice, I think it works. Instead of the minor vi I would do a iv minor for “skies are gray” as well. Adds a lot to the song.

[@conraddevera]

I’m a total noob, thank you, didnt know that is how it works (not saying that’s all there is of course). Just learning by my self through youtube

[@eddiee2898]

You are a great teacher. Thank you. You make it so simple while many other teachers make it so unnecessarily complicated.

[@zekiyezeynepsahin9449]

Lisa, this is really what I have been looking for... Thanks a lot .... Please more videos on chord progressions...For years I thought I didn't need music theory in order to play the piano. I realize that I was wrong now. Please go on .. You are a very good teacher. You have that teaching skill to simplify the topics that seem confusing.

[@kvnmcinturff1]

I use the circle of 4ths and 5ths. Key of C: C, F, G, Am, Em, Dm and there you have it.

[@MrC77]

How does that help?

[@TheLazyClips]

Isnt just using the scale simpler bec you dont have to count fifths or fourths or look at the circle at all. Just every scale degree is a chord...

[@dimwitsadvocate6264]

I've been wondering how to match chords with simple melodies ever since I started learning piano (3 weeks). Now I see how I've been doing it wrong. Thank you!

[@SHIV_ASHRIT]

The way you teach is soooo impressive... so beautifully explained.... Thank you so much mam

[@vedprakashpawar4460]

You’re a brilliant teacher, brilliant singer as well.

[@CassandraMoraes]

I hit the like button when she said “You are my sunshine.” 🌞😁

[@AbbyOfrasio]

Same

[@shravanr8264]

"Our ears don't want to listen to something which doesn't sound good" Me realizing I've been listening to this video and her voice is sweeter than the piano

[@noelflur8814]

I was just thinking the same thing! Angelic and really easy to listen too.

[@chazmichael7967]

Explain Miley Cyrus

[@aegomelodies]

"When things stop being good you've got to have a chord change" . Instructive word!!!

[@gavinvonmeyer3746]

This is the video that I have been needing to watch all my life... This here was my missing map for my musical journey - I cannot thank you enough for simplifying it so brilliantly.

[@PhaLanX7]

Omg I can’t believe you shared such a useful video for free. I wanted to know this forever. You are awesome!