How to Play Pop Songs on Piano: The Pianote Guide to Pop Piano

Chances are you’ve listened to pop music. And if pop is your genre of choice, you may want to learn how to play pop songs on the piano. It’s fun!

The piano can shine in virtually any genre, and it’s been a staple of pop music for decades. In this article, we’ll dive into the piano’s history in pop music, explore pop’s essential ingredients, review key skills you need to play pop songs on the piano, and listen to some iconic pop piano hits.

Table of Contents

Iconic Pop Piano Songs

To start us off, here are some iconic keyboard tracks from across the decades. We’ve also compiled a more thorough playlist at the end of this article.

> Click here to skip to the history of pop piano.

> You can also skip to learning about pop piano’s essential ingredients and key skills.

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The 50s

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The 60s

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The 70s

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The 80s

Check out our article on the top 10 iconic synth riffs from the 80s.

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The 90s

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The 00s

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The 2010s

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF POP PIANO

The Evolution of Pop Music

Today, pop music is changing again thanks to streaming. Now, it’s services like Spotify and Bandcamp that shape our taste. And with the rise of mood-driven playlists and the ease with which we can explore different music, we are enjoying more genres (and combinations of genres) than ever before.

The Piano in Pop Music

As an incredibly versatile instrument, the keyboard has made many iconic appearances in pop music, whether in the form of a traditional acoustic, an organ, or a synthesizer. In some songs, the keyboard is the centerpiece. In others, it’s an added decoration.

The Keyboard in Pop Music

“Keyboard,” “piano,” and “synthesizer” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are different if related instruments. Both pianos and synthesizers are keyboard instruments, and skills used in one can be translated to the other.

A synthesizer creates music by manipulating the fundamental aspects of sound such as amplitude, frequency, and wavelength (“synthesis”). This means you can create truly unique and iconic riffs. Early synthesizers include the 200-tonne Teleharmonium, the RCA Mark II, and the Minimoog.

Here are some examples of early synth music. For a deeper dive into iconic synth songs, take a look at Sam’s lesson here.

1.2 Pop Classical

In recent years, there’s been growth in a genre that features piano as both a classical and pop instrument. Iconic pieces like “Nuvole Bianche” by Ludovico Einaudi and “River Flows in You” by Yiruma are captivating young people who may not be consumers of traditional classical music. These pieces are often have catchy melodies, simple chord progressions, and minimalistic textures.

A Note on Diversity

Please note that in this article, we only have the space, time, and knowledge to discuss Western (English-language) pop music at length.

But it’s important to acknowledge that pop music is context and culture specific. What a French person knows as “pop” will be very different from what a Thai person knows as “pop.” However, most modern pop songs have elements in common that stretch across cultures, and even the French and Thai person will know pop songs in common.

We’ll go over things pop songs have in common in the essential ingredients and key skills sections.

CHAPTER 2: PLAYING POP SONGS ON PIANO – ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS

As we mentioned before, many pop songs share the same ingredients. In fact, we can distill most pop songs into the same handful of chord progressions. So, by understanding some basic theory, you can very quickly master a simple arrangement of a pop song on the piano.

2.1 Diatonic Chords and the Number System

Main articles: Diatonic Chords, Explained and The Nashville Number System for Piano: A Beginner’s Guide

To understand chord progressions, you’ll have to understand diatonic chords and the Nashville number system.

Diatonic chords are the chords that naturally occur in a given scale. Take C Major (all white keys). If you make a triad shape on top of the first C, then scooch the same shape up through all the notes of the scale, you’ll end up with these chords:

These are the diatonic chords of C Major. And we can assign each chord a number. This is the Nashville Number System.

We can also represent these numbers as Roman numerals. Capitalized letters mean the chord is major; lowercase letters mean the chord is minor. In major scales, the same pattern of major and minor chords is the same for all keys (ie. the ii chord is always minor). The vii^o chord has an extra symbol that means it’s naturally a diminished chord.

Using numbers is useful because you’re not tied to a key. You can use numbers to quickly transpose a song for a particular vocalist or ensemble.

🎹 Arranging for Solo Piano

When you arrange a song, the piano becomes an orchestra at your fingertips. If you want to learn how to arrange your favorite tracks for solo piano, pianist Summer Swee-Singh will be coaching Pianote members on arrangement in August 2022. Join Pianote as a member today so you don’t miss it!

MORE ABOUT COACHES

2.2 Common Chord Progressions

Main article: All About Piano Chord Progressions

Chord progressions are a series of chords that sound good together. They form a narrative, driving the song forward.

The 1-5-6-4 Pop Progression

The 1-5-6-4 (or I-V-vi-IV) pop progression is by far the most common progression in pop music. It’s used in songs like “Let It Be” by the Beatles, “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi and many, many more.

The “Sensitive” 6-4-1-5 Progression

Marc Hirsch of the Boston Globe nicknamed this progression the “sensitive female chord progression” because of its use by women singer-songwriters like Sarah MacLachlan, Joan Osborne, and Beyoncé.

The “50s” Progression

Other Progressions

Musicians have identified other chord progressions that give pop music their “sound.” For example, there is a Japanese pop progression that makes an appearance in many soundtracks, anime openings, and J-pop songs. See what other progressions you can find!

CHAPTER 3: MASTERING POP SONGS ON THE PIANO – KEY SKILLS

Knowing theory is fine and dandy. But to learn, interpret, and perform pop songs on the piano, it’s vital that we learn some hard skills as well.

3.1 Reading Chord Charts and Lead Sheets

Suggested article: Read and Play Complicated Chords on the Piano

The great thing about playing pop music is that you don’t absolutely need to know how to read sheet music. In fact, relying on sheet music may limit you if you can’t find the score for a particular song.

Instead, learn how to read chord charts and lead sheets.

Chord charts are notation with lyrics and chord changes on top. You’ll have to understand chord symbols (ie. C, Am, Fsus2, Dm7, Gmaj7 etc.). To do that, take a look at this lesson. But if you’re a beginner, start with just four chords: C, G, F, and Am. This will unlock hundreds of popular songs. Such as “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey:

Lead sheets are somewhere between full sheet music and chord charts. In a lead sheet, the melody is notated on the staff, but there is no harmony, only chord symbols on top.

If you want to learn how to read music in order to read lead sheets, take a look at How to Read Notes, our most popular lesson on YouTube!

The awesome thing about chord charts and lead sheets is that they encourage you to “fill in the blanks” with your own riffs and fills. They’re an excellent way to spur creativity without leaving you to completely fend for yourself.

3.2 Playing By Ear

Main article: How to Play Piano by Ear in 10 Minutes

These days, it’s easy to find chord charts, lead sheets, and even full sheet music online. But if your tastes are a little obscure, you can’t always rely on finding notation.

This is where knowing how to play by ear comes in. And while playing by ear may sound like a mysterious talent, anyone can learn it. The trick is using songs you already know to learn intervals (the gaps between notes). The same technique can be applied to sussing out chord progressions.

Learn more with these play-by-ear lessons:

3.3 Improvisation

Playing chords and melodies is a good place to start. But it’s likely you’ll want to put your own spin on things.

This is where the skill to improvise comes in handy. Improvising can feel scary at first, but it’s all about overcoming the fear of making mistakes and opening yourself up to possibilities.

Start small with some beginner-friendly techniques. We suggest you take a look at these lessons:

• Create Emotion With Only 4 Notes
• Easy Piano Improvisation Exercises
• Beautiful Beginner Piano Improvisation (Only 3 Chords)

Another way to liven up your arrangement is to add riffs and fills between chords.

3.4 Playing With a Band

Playing piano by yourself is fun. But playing piano with other people is even more fun! 

If you’re into pop music, playing with others may naturally follow. This is a skill that needs to be learned because the band needs to communicate well to stay tight. Unfortunately, piano players tend to be lone wolves. We encourage you to challenge this stereotype!

There’s no better way to learn how to play with others than to grab some friends and start jamming. But if you need some guidance, take a look at our lessons on how to jam (for absolute beginners) and how to play with a rhythm section.

This is also a topic we cover in our worship piano course.

🎹 Play REAL Songs…The Ones You Love 🎵

The best way to learn music is by playing, not reading. Start off on a good note with our 500 Songs in 5 Days course pack. Free with your Pianote membership.

START PLAYING SONGS TODAY

For free resources, keep reading!

How to Play Pop Songs on the Piano: Free Lessons

Free Song Tutorials

Essential Listening Playlist

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