Chords by Ear
Play your first pop songs on piano with just 4 chords
A free, beginner-friendly starter kit: the 4 chord shapes behind hundreds of popular songs, plus the famous progression that ties them together. No sheet music needed to begin.
- 4 chord charts: C, G, Am, F
- 4 rhythm patterns
- 10 well-known songs to look up
Get the free 4-Chord Starter Kit (PDF)
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- Free PDF
- No sheet music needed
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Why 4 chords
Most songs on the radio use a small set of chords
If you've ever watched someone sit at a piano and just play a song they love without any sheet music, here's a little secret: a lot of the time they aren't reading anything. They know a handful of chord shapes and a few patterns, and they recognise those patterns in the songs they hear.
One of the most common patterns in modern pop is a four-chord loop that musicians call I–V–vi–IV. In the key of C, those are the chords C, G, A minor and F. You'll find it, or a version of it, in songs by The Beatles, Bob Marley, U2, Adele, Journey and many more.
The free kit
What's inside the free kit
- 4 chord charts (C, G, Am, F)Showing which notes to play and which fingers to use.
- A plain-English explanation of I–V–vi–IVAnd how to move it to other keys.
- 4 simple rhythm patternsEach written out beat by beat (1-2-3-4) so you can count them and hear them as you play, to make the same four chords sound like a ballad, a pop song or a gentle groove.
- A list of 10 well-known songsWhose main sections use this progression, so you know what to look up next.
- A public-domain play-alongBeethoven's "Ode to Joy" melody over two of your new chords.
- A relaxed practice planYou can follow it at your own pace.
How it works
Three simple steps
- 1Enter your first name and emailTick the box and press "Send me the kit".
- 2Open the PDF from your inboxIf you don't see it, check your Promotions or Spam folder.
- 3Sit down at your keyboardFollow the practice plan at your own pace.
Who it's for
Adults who have always wanted to play piano or keyboard, whether you've never touched one, or played a little years ago and want a friendlier way back in. A basic keyboard with 49+ keys is plenty to start.
What it won't do
It won't turn anyone into a concert pianist overnight, and I won't pretend it will. Learning an instrument takes regular, relaxed practice. What chords give you is a way to make real music early on, which can make practice a lot more motivating.
Where the kit leads: a full chord-based course
The kit is a self-contained starting point. If you enjoy it and want a complete, step-by-step path, the course I recommend is Pianoforall, created by piano teacher Robin Hall. It uses the same chord-first, play-by-ear idea as the kit, and then builds on it:
- It starts with "rhythm style" piano (chords plus rhythm patterns), then moves on to ballads, blues and rock 'n' roll, chord inversions, improvisation, jazz and ragtime
- You learn to read music alongside playing by ear, and later work up to classical pieces
- It's delivered as interactive ebooks with embedded video and audio that work on PC, Mac, iOS and Android, including offline
- It's a one-time payment with no subscription, and the vendor states a 60-day money-back guarantee (check the current terms at checkout; orders are processed by ClickBank)
Opens the vendor's 7-day free trial page · card entered at checkout · $0 today, then a one-time $49 unless you cancel through ClickBank · 60-day money-back guarantee (vendor). Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Not ready for a full course? Start with the free kit.
One PDF plus a few friendly emails. Unsubscribe whenever you like.
Send me the 4-Chord Starter KitQuestions
Short FAQ
Do I need to read music?
No. The kit uses note names and simple diagrams. Reading music is a great skill to pick up later, and many people find it easier once they already play a little.
Do I need a real piano?
No. A digital piano or keyboard works well. Weighted keys are nice to have but not required.
How long will it take?
Everyone learns at a different pace. Short, regular sessions (10–20 minutes a few times a week) tend to work better than occasional long ones.
Is the kit really free?
Yes. You get the PDF and a short series of emails. Some of those emails recommend a paid course through my affiliate link. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Ready for the full step-by-step course?
Take a look at Pianoforall →Opens the vendor's 7-day free trial page · card entered at checkout · $0 today, then a one-time $49 unless you cancel through ClickBank · 60-day money-back guarantee (vendor). Affiliate link: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.