Super Simple Piano
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Left-Hand Chords on Piano

Instead of one bass note, the left hand plays a small chord in rhythm: two notes, the root and the fifth (a power chord), or a full chord of three. It gives rock songs and marches a heavy, driving sound. Start with power fifths on every beat, then try the full chords and the march rhythms.

Practice it

Start with Power fifths, the one most songs use.

Patterns

Chords: C, G

Power fifths

Root and fifth together: big and bold.
Chords: C, G

Giant steps

A full chord on every beat, low and heavy, like a giant walking.
Chords: C, G

Velvet jazz

Two soft notes on each beat: the cozy colour of old jazz ballads.
Chords: C, G

Marching giant

Thick three-note chords on every beat, rocking between two shapes.
Chords: C, G

Sliding twins

Two notes together step down beat by beat, like a hymn closing.
Chords: C, G

Brass-band march

A bold open chord, then a low note: oom-pah like a marching band.
Chords: C, G

Little march

A chord, then a single low note: left, right, like a little march.
Chords: C, G

Toy-soldier march

A bright two-note chord, then the low root: a toy soldier’s left-right.

Pirate-ship sway

Bass, chord, bass, chord in a lilting long-short swing.

Clip-clop waltz

A two-note chord and a single note trade places in quick waltz steps.

Songs that use left-hand chords

Questions

What is a power chord on piano?

The root and the fifth played together, with no third: C and G over a C chord. It sounds strong and fits major and minor chords alike.

Should my left hand play full chords?

Low full chords can sound muddy, so keep them near the middle of the keyboard or play power fifths. Shell voicings, the root with the seventh or the third, are the jazz version.

Which songs use left-hand chords?

Human Nature by Michael Jackson, Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson and Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley use left-hand chords. The songs on this page all use it, the most played first.