It is fairly easy to get started with creating basic chord progressions.

It is also easy to get stuck using the same patterns.  

In the video below, we’ll talk about some techniques for expanding your chord progression options.

The first step in this process is to think about terms less in terms of their names and in terms of their relative numbers.  Each chord has a number within the context of a song’s key and scale.  When each progression is a pattern of numbers, you’ll pick up on the relationships between chords and gain confidence for building other progressions.

Here are the techniques:

• A chord progression using just the 1- and 4-chords is a good place to start.  
• From there, we can also use the 1-, 4, 5-, and 6-chords in any order.  There are 24 possible combinations – lots of options!
• To branch out from there, you can almost always replace the 4-chord with a 2-chord.  The 2-chord is minor, but it serves the same harmonic function  as the 4-chord, but with a slightly different color and different bass note.
• Finally, try playing the major chords (1, 4, and 5) as slash chords, with their respective thirds in the bass.  You can create smoother and preferable bass lines using slash chords.

For more on playing piano by chords, check out the Fluent Piano Chords course!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOtKxqu1zAs