Piano lesson: Playing melodies and piano chords by heart

An easy way to start learning piano chords is to memorize easy melodies you like. This will gradually help you develop your musical taste and the ability to use the appropriate chords when you hear a melody or have to put chords to the melodies in your piano notes.

Try to learn the melody to for example "Mary Had A Little Lamb" by heart. You can play the melody in the key of C for a start. This means that you start with an E note on the piano as you play the melody. Try to figure out the melody by ear. Here is the lyrics with suggested chord symbols in brackets after the syllable where you are supposed to press down the chord.

Ma(C)ry had a little lamb, litt(G7)le lamb, litt(C)le lamb
Ma(C)ry had a little lamb, its fleece(G7) was white as snow(C)

The C chord contains the notes c, e and g
The G7 chord contains the notes g, b and f

You can try the same approach with other easy songs you know. Try to figure out the melody by ear and find out which chords to use by trial and error. The process will develop your musicality and ability to play by ear!