Easy Chord Progressions for Piano: Simple Patterns for a Pro Sound
Easy Chord Progressions for Piano can open the door to quick, confidence-boosting victories on an instrument that often demands serious dedication. Whether you are just starting out or you’ve been playing for a while, integrating these easy chord progressions for piano into your practice routine will help you achieve a professional sound without months of intensive study.
Below, you’ll find updated examples of the circle-of-fifths progression (including a minor version) and multiple suspended 2 (sus2) chords in various keys. Refer to the embedded video for a hands-on demonstration, and explore our free chord progression pack (right here on our site) for printable diagrams and sheet music—all designed to guide you through Easy Chord Progressions for Piano.
Watch the Video on Easy Chord Progressions for Piano
Why Learn Easy Chord Progressions for Piano?
Mastering the piano involves scales, technique, theory, and consistent practice. Amid these challenges, Easy Chord Progressions for Piano offer quick gratification that keeps your musical momentum going. They’re perfect for:
- Beginners wanting to sound great fast
- Intermediate players looking for fresh ideas
- Anyone craving creative inspiration without complicating their practice sessions
For a printable version of these chords and more structured guidance, grab our free resource pack here on the site—no need to wander YouTube endlessly for chord tips. If you’d like to explore more video tutorials, be sure to visit our
official YouTube channel
.
1. Pro Trick: Suspended Second (Sus2) Chords
A suspended second (sus2) chord replaces the third of a triad with the second scale degree, giving a warm and modern sound. For example, in C major:
- C major triad: C–E–G
- C sus2 chord: C–D–G
How to Practice Sus2 Chords in Easy Chord Progressions for Piano
Keep the same sus2 shape in your right hand while you move a bass line in the left hand (e.g., a 1–6–4–5 progression: C → A → F → G). Embrace slight variations by changing only the bass note; let the right hand “float” in one sus2 shape. This approach makes it easy to integrate suspended chords into your Easy Chord Progressions for Piano without advanced theory.
Sus2 Examples in Other Keys
- E♭ sus2
Right Hand: E♭–F–B♭
Left Hand (Example Bass Line): E♭ → C → A♭ → B♭ (1–6–4–5 in E♭ major) - G sus2
Right Hand: G–A–D
Left Hand (Example Bass Line): G → D → E → C (1–5–6–4 in G major)
By experimenting with sus2 chords in various keys, you create a warm, modern sound that feels surprisingly complex—an excellent addition to any library of Easy Chord Progressions for Piano.
2. Slash Chords for Smooth Motion
Slash chords (or inversions) allow you to change only the bass note while keeping the right-hand chord in place. A classic example in the key of F major is:
F → F/A → B♭ → B♭/C
- Start with F in both hands.
- Move the left hand to A while holding F on top (F/A).
- Shift to B♭ in both hands (B♭).
- Finally, play B♭ in the right hand with C in the bass (B♭/C).
This creates a full, dynamic sound, avoiding the need to jump to a more complex chord (like C7) each time. Slash chords fit seamlessly into many Easy Chord Progressions for Piano, thanks to their simplicity and smooth bass motion.
3. Circle of Fifths Progressions (Including Minor Keys)
a) Minor-Based Example: C Minor → F Minor → B♭ → E♭
A circle-of-fifths sequence typically moves chords in intervals of a perfect fifth down (or a fourth up). One popular minor version is:
C minor (Cm) → F minor (Fm) → B♭ major (B♭) → E♭ major (E♭)
- Cm: C–E♭–G
- Fm: F–A♭–C
- B♭: B♭–D–F
- E♭: E♭–G–B♭
This creates a moody, soulful progression that appears in countless pop and jazz tunes. It’s also a straightforward way to add depth and variety to your Easy Chord Progressions for Piano.
b) Circle of Fifths in Other Keys
- D Minor to G Minor
D minor (Dm) → G minor (Gm) → C → F - A Minor to D Minor
A minor (Am) → D minor (Dm) → G → C - Major Circle Examples
G → C → F → B♭
These chords move in perfect fourths up (or fifths down) for a classic progression.
Try playing these progressions in different tempos, feels (swing, straight, half-time), and inversions for varied textures. With just a few chord shifts, you can transform these into easy chord progressions for piano practice that sound far more advanced than they are.

4. Jazzy 9th and 13th Voicings (Muscle Memory Method)
Give your playing a “lounge jazz” feel with minimal effort by focusing on chord shapes, not just theory. For instance:
- C minor 9: Left hand: C | Right hand: B♭–D–E♭–G
- F13: Left hand: F | Right hand: A–D–E♭–G
Notice that from C minor 9 to F13, you only move your thumb down a half-step in the right hand (B♭ → A), yet you get a huge color change. This muscle memory approach speeds up learning without overwhelming you with chord formulas. It’s a perfect technique to incorporate into Easy Chord Progressions for Piano if you want a quick, professional-sounding upgrade.
Try the same trick in other keys:
- D minor 9: Left hand: D | Right hand: C–E–F–A
- G13: Left hand: G | Right hand: B–E–F–A
Again, a single-note shift in the right hand transforms the chord, making you sound effortlessly professional.
Tips for Practicing
- Focus on One Progression
Master each progression in one key first—then branch out to others. - Use a Metronome
Keep your timing steady to build a consistent groove. - Record Yourself
Listening back reveals shaky transitions or timing issues you might miss in real time. - Download Our Free Pack
It’s right here on our site for you. Print the chord diagrams and refer to them offline to avoid guesswork.
Boost Your Confidence and Progress
Mastering these Easy Chord Progressions for Piano will give you a professional edge—and the satisfaction of real musical results. Remember that the circle of fifths can work in minor (like Cm → Fm → B♭ → E♭) or major keys; and sus2 chords can spice up everything from E♭ major to G major with minimal movement.
You can find more structured lessons right here at
ContemporarySchoolofPiano.com.
We’re here to help you design a practice approach that cuts through the clutter of random tutorials and puts you on a focused path to success.
Enjoy the video, experiment with multiple keys, and keep discovering new ways to enhance your sound with these Easy Chord Progressions for Piano!