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[For Beginners] Play on the Piano! A Collection of Songs Using the Canon Progression

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

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!

[For Beginners] Play on the Piano! A Collection of Songs Using the Canon Progression (11–20)

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Cherry / Spitz [With Do-Re-Mi Sheet Music & Lyrics] Beginner-Friendly Slow and Easy Piano Played Easy Piano Tutorial Cherry SPITZ Beginner Level

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Among Spitz’s many classic songs, Cherry is one of the most popular.

It’s a slightly bittersweet love song that portrays someone trying to overcome heartbreak.

In the section right before the chorus, the harmony strictly follows the progression of Pachelbel’s Canon.

Even with a classical chord progression, the light, crystal-clear vocals keep it from feeling heavy at all.

Because the left hand moves in a regular pattern typical of the Canon progression, it’s a great piece for beginner pianists to try.

If you practice the left hand repeatedly until you can play it without thinking, putting both hands together will become much easier!

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In conclusion

Because the canon progression is the most classic of classics, it’s especially familiar to Japanese listeners, and it has the advantage of being relatively easy to picture when playing the piano.

The pieces introduced this time range from simple canon progressions to various transformed versions, so please enjoy playing the piano while savoring the relationship between melody and chords!