Super Simple Chords

Chord progression

The I–II–I–II chord progression

C – D – C – D in C. 15 songs in the library go round it. Hear it in any style and key, and see it in all twelve keys.

Tuning the piano…
Style
Key

Want to mix it with other hands?

The loop

4 chords, round and round, in C. Each chord on the keys:

CIDIICIDII

In every key

Find your song's key on the left: its chords are the row. Each column keeps its colour, whatever the key.

KeyIIIIII
CCDCD
DbDbEbDbEb
DDEDE
EbEbFEbF
EEF#EF#
FFGFG
F#F#G#F#G#
GGAGA
AbAbBbAbBb
AABAB
BbBbCBbC
BBC#BC#

Songs that go round it

15 songs, best known first. Rest the mouse on one to hear it.

All of them

Left hands these songs use

The patterns most often played under this loop.

Questions about I–II–I–II

What is the I–II–I–II chord progression?

A loop of 4 chords: C – D – C – D in C. The numerals say each chord's place in the key, so the same loop can be played in any key.

What songs use the I–II–I–II progression?

15 songs in the library repeat it, including Let’s Go Fly A Kite, Back To The Future, August Winds, Caroline, No and Down To Earth.

How do I play I–II–I–II on piano?

Hold each chord with the right hand while the left hand plays its root, then swap in a pattern: pop heartbeat is the left hand these songs use most. The player above plays it in any style and key.