[For Beginners] Play on the Piano! A Collection of Songs Using the Canon Progression
Are you familiar with the so-called “canon progression” in chord progressions?
The progression used in Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D—widely known as Pachelbel’s Canon—has been quoted in many J-pop hits.
Even if you don’t understand chord theory, you’ve almost certainly heard this golden chord progression at least once.
In this article, we’ve compiled a selection of famous songs that use the “canon progression,” focusing on pieces that are easy for beginners to play on the piano.
We’ve included both Japanese and Western music, chosen across different eras—so try playing these classic canon-progression songs on the piano!
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[For Beginners] Play on Piano! A Collection of Songs Using the Canon Progression (1–10)
Les Champs-Élysées (Aux Champs-Élysées)Joe Dassin
Les Champs-Elysées (Aux Champs-Élysées), inspired by Paris’s Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
Many of you have probably heard it, as it appears in textbooks and is used in commercials.
In this song, a modified canon progression is repeatedly used in the section leading up to the chorus right after the intro.
Because the progression is the same and the melody also repeats in a similar way, it’s a very easy piece to remember.
As you play, keep the progression in mind and bring out a light rhythm that conveys a sense of uplift.
Love will winKAN
KAN’s “Ai wa Katsu” (“Love Will Win”) powerfully encourages those with unrequited love or struggling in romance, telling them, “If you keep believing, it will come true someday!” Some may think it’s hard to play on the piano because it modulates repeatedly.
However, each section actually follows the canon progression, repeating the same chords, so it’s surprisingly easy to memorize and get the feel for.
You might find you can play it more smoothly than you expect once you try.
If you’d like to perform a Heisei-era classic on the piano, give it a shot!
MemoriesMaroon 5
Maroon 5’s “Memories” faithfully reproduces the chord progression of Pachelbel’s Canon.
Because it also contains phrases that are very similar in the melody, some of you may have felt it sounds somewhat alike.
Since the same chords are repeated endlessly, performances can easily become monotonous and dull.
Try playing it while bringing out the beauty of the melody, adding plenty of variation through rhythm, dynamics, and ornamentation!
[For Beginners] Play on the Piano! A Collection of Songs Using the Canon Progression (11–20)
BoyhoodInoue Yosui
Speaking of summer songs, many people might answer Yōsui Inoue’s “Shonen Jidai,” right? This simple, warm piece that always evokes a sense of nostalgia is also one of the songs that uses the canon progression.
The chord progression is simple, and because the melody doesn’t have many notes and the range is fairly narrow, it’s a piece that even beginner pianists can easily try.
Start by practicing slowly while holding the bass notes, and as you get used to it, gradually add rhythm and chords.
Aim for a gentle tone and play with a sense of calm.
Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro
Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve” is a quintessential J-pop song that uses the canon progression! In the interlude, where the mood changes dramatically, it directly employs the chord progression from Pachelbel’s Canon.
The melody also has a somewhat Baroque feel—toward the latter half it’s practically Pachelbel’s Canon! Even though it reaches back over 300 years, it somehow matches the atmosphere of the song perfectly.
Because variations of the canon are also used in the chorus and the A section, it may create a sense of cohesion.
To master the interlude cleanly, I also recommend practicing the original Canon!
Can’t Help Falling In Love (Suki ni Narazuni Irarenai)Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” said to have been composed using the melody of the 18th-century French song “Plaisir d’amour” as a motif, is a memorable piece with lyrics about unwavering love and a gentle melody.
In this song, an arranged canon progression is used in all sections except the darker middle part.
Let’s play it carefully, layering a warm melody over a quiet, steady accompaniment.
Don’t Look Back in AngerOasis
“Don’t Look Back in Anger,” a track from the British rock band Oasis’s second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, is said to be so beloved in the UK that it’s often called a “national anthem.” The song uses a canon-like progression in both the verse and the chorus.
Its simple progression may be why it resonates across generations.
Start by practicing with a simple left hand that plays only the bass notes along with the melody, then gradually add chords and rhythm.