Teaching Chord Progression to Classical Piano Students

I often think Classical Piano Teachers do not do enough of teaching Chord Progressions (if at all) which I think is a fundamental practical musicianship skill that a musician needs.

Sure, we teach students the Theory of Chord Names and Chord Functions because it is part of the Theory Exam Requirements (usually in the Grades 4 and 5 of UK Based Music Exam boards). but it is usually taught in isolation from the music the students are actually learning.

While this is a huge missed opportunity, it also creates an impression among students that Learning/Playing Music means performing from Score as accurately as we can, and we all know that the truth is far from that!!

Guitar Teachers teach Chords right from the get go, even without teaching the theory behind all of it, and students gain such an intuitive sense of music because of that.

Benefits of Teaching Chord Progressions to Classical Piano Students

1. Enhances Understanding of Music Theory: Classical piano students often focus heavily on reading from score and playing individual notes. Introducing chord progressions helps them develop a deeper understanding of music theory, including harmonic relationships, chord structures, and how chords function within a piece.

2. Improves Sight-Reading Skills: Working with chord progressions can enhance a student's ability to quickly recognize and interpret patterns in sheet music. It trains their eyes and fingers to anticipate common chord progressions, making sight-reading more fluid and efficient.

3. Develops Improvisation Skills: Classical musicians often rely on playing music exactly as written. Teaching chord progressions encourages students to explore improvisation, enabling them to add their own variations, ornaments, or accompaniment patterns to pieces. This fosters creativity and personal expression.

4. Facilitates Transposition and Arrangement: Understanding chord progressions empowers students to transpose music to different keys or rearrange pieces to suit their preferences or performance requirements. This skill expands their repertoire and versatility as pianists.

5. Enhances Ear Training and Aural Skills: Learning chord progressions helps students develop a keen ear for harmony and chord quality. They can identify chords and progressions by ear, enabling them to play music without relying solely on sheet music. This skill greatly contributes to musicality and performance interpretation.

6. Supports Composition and Songwriting: With a foundation in chord progressions, classical piano students can explore composition and songwriting. They gain the ability to construct their own chord progressions, experiment with different harmonic structures, and create original music.

7. Increases Versatility and Adaptability: Classical pianists who understand chord progressions are better equipped to adapt to different musical genres and styles. They can comfortably transition from classical repertoire to jazz, pop, or contemporary music, broadening their performance opportunities.

8. Enhances Ensemble Playing Skills: Chord progressions are fundamental to accompanying other musicians or playing in an ensemble. By teaching classical piano students chord progressions, they develop the skills needed to collaborate effectively with other instrumentalists or vocalists.

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE - SOLDIER'S MARCH (by Schubert)

In order to illustrate, I have taken a popular Grade 2 Exam Piece (Soldier's March).

Now, this piece can be taught as given in the score, and it has great benefits too - students learn how to play with tight rhythmic control, there are Hand Shifts and Hand Leaps to navigate which develops Technique, the Coordination between the Hands which develops Key Topography knowledge, Students need to handle Phrasing, Balance and Dynamics, etc which develop sensitivity in performance.

All of the above are excellent skills to develop for a Piano student.

Now, think of all the new opportunities to explore if Chord Progressions were also Taught

i - Improvisation

ii - Play Duet with another Student/Teacher

iii - Play in Ensemble with their Guitar Friends

iv - Transpose into new Keys (Schubert wouldn't mind)

v - Create new Pieces based on this Progression

vi - Experimenting with Inversions

vii - Use chords in any way you like - single notes, Intervals, Triads, add a Harmonic Rhythm, try whatever works,

viii - You can keep coming back to the Chart as the student develops more skills

The List of things that can be done is endless, and I can tell you is very satisfying to both the student and the teacher.

Go ahead and try it.

Also, make such charts of other pieces that your students are learning

And let me know how it goes :)