Chord Progression Improvisation Videos in Root Position

Chord Progressions often provide the framework or building blocks of music pieces. 

You can start with the notes of a simple repetitive chord progression, and by combining the notes in different ways create an endless variety of sounds.

Explore the sample piano improvisation videos below that show how to create music based on repetitive chord progression patterns. Then choose your favorite style and improvise or compose your own short piece based on the same pattern.

Root Position Chords

Create First Heart and Soul Blues:  I-vi-IV-V

In this example, the left-hand stays in the root position. Choose any combination of notes from the C scale + E-flat to create a bluesy jazz piece. Imitate the syncopated jazzy rhythms.

Pianonote Improvise Beautiful Melodies: vi-IV-V-iii

This reflective, calm example uses repeating root chords in the left hand with roots, broken chords, arpeggios, or scale passages in the right hand.

Create First Ocean Without a Shore: vi-V-IV-iii then IV-iii-ii-I

Listen to how the broken chords played across the entire range of the piano in this example create the feeling of soothing flowing water in contrast to the energy of the blocked chord patterns.

Create First A Song Someday: vi-IV-V-vi then I-V-ii-I

This example uses almost every root chord of the scale. It's easier if you move your hand in a "cookie cutter" way keeping the same shape and fingering  (left hand 531,  right hand 135).

Create First Roots in the Sky  : I-iii-IV-ii-iii-IV-vi-V

Can you hear how the V-I (authentic cadence) ending helps the piece to sound finished? Most songs end on the tonic or I chord that feels like returning back home.