I have not commented much on chord progressions for the songs I have posted lately. Ok, perhaps I shall do for this one.

There are 3 different parts in this song, as I have marked on the video.

Part 1 and Part 3 have the same chord progressions. It goes like this:

I –> VIm –> IIm7 –> V

The song is in the key of B. So the above progression is translated as:

B –> G#m –> C#m7 –> F#

Part 2 is actually similar to the above too, except with a slight twist. This is how it goes…

I –> III –> VIm –> VI –> IIm7 –> V

In the key of B, this is translated into…

B –> D# –> G#m –> G# –> C#m7 –> F#
With some tweaking, we can simplify it further into what you see on the video. If anyone is interested to know how this is done, please let me know.

Tags: because I love you, chord progressions, how to play, karaoke, piano cheats, piano chords, Shakin' Stevens, shortcuts, simplified, singalong, tricks

This song by Marc Terenzi has actually been suggested by a reader-friend whose name I shall not reveal for now.
I have divided the song into 4 parts in the video.

Part 1 (verse, in the key of B) and Part 2 (chorus, in the key of D) are repeated with a slight difference towards the end of each part.

Part 3 is the bridge.

And Part 4 is actually the same as Part 2 (i.e., chorus), but in a higher key, i.e., E.

Tags: chord progressions, how to play, karaoke, love to be loved by you, marc terenzi, piano cheats, piano chords, shortcuts, simplified, singalong, video illustration

I hope this is easy enough to follow.

I have no other comment, except a reminder that the fingers I used on the video were purely so that it’s easier for the viewer to see the notes (keys) I was playing. Do feel free to use the fingers most comfortable for yourself.

Tags: chord progressions, christmas carol, how to play, it came upon a midnight clear, karaoke, piano cheats, piano chords, shortcuts, singalong, video illustration

張國榮 — 風繼續吹

This is originally a Japanese song, I think, but made famous by the late Leslie Cheung of Hong Kong, through his Cantonese version.
It is easier to learn the song when you can “see” it as 3 different parts, and therefore not that long really.  I have marked the parts on the video. Just before the ending, the part is similar to Part 2, but with some modification. I hope it’s not too difficult to see where the differences are, and to follow accordingly.

Anyway, as I have said before, if anyone needs clarification, please do write to me.

Here’s the video…

These are the “cheat” chords I played…
Part 1: CM7 - Bb/C - FM7 - c/E - Dm7 - F/G
Part 2: C - Am7 - Dm7 - F/G
Part 3: FM7 - E4 - E/G# - Am7 - Am7/G - Dm7 - C/E - F - F/G
Part 3b: C - Am7 - F - E4 - E/G# - F - E4 - E/G# - Am7 - Am7/G - F - F/G
Ending: C - Fm6/Ab - Fm6/G - CM7

Tags: chord progressions, how to play, karaoke, leslie cheung, piano cheats, piano chords, piano shortcuts, simplified, singalong, video illustration, wind continues to blow, 張國榮, 風繼續吹

I am assuming that those who read this post probably find learning to play this song other ways more difficult. The video here illustrates a very simplified form of playing this song. With the assumption, I decided not to go into the part of the song where the key is changed to G (initially in E).

However, if anyone is interested to know how to play the part that is in the G key, please let me know. It’s actually the same pattern in E just repeated in G.

Here is the video…

For theories and tricks on “Piano Cheats”, please select “Cheat Theories” and “Cheat Tricks” under the “Category” pull-down menu (on the right panel of the page).

Tags: chicago, chord progressions, hard to say i'm sorry, how to play, karaoke, piano chords, shortcuts, simplified, singalong, video illustrations