Basic Triad Accompaniment with “Let It Be”

If you have been following our chord theory and music-reading lessons, this practical introduction is for you. The central idea is simple: knowing how to play triads can already let you accompany a song on the piano.

This depends on the song, of course. For the arrangement of “Let It Be” discussed here, the harmony consists of only four major and minor triads: C, G, Am and F.

If you have studied our lessons on major and minor triads, try finding these four chords yourself. The related lessons below provide a refresher.

Now let us turn chord knowledge into an accompaniment pattern. First, play the root of each chord in octaves with your left hand. At the same time, play the complete triad with your right hand.

The score below shows this straightforward combination of left-hand octaves and right-hand chords. Even if you are new to reading music, follow the chord symbols and listen to the example.

The following performance demonstrates how the accompaniment sounds. Practice slowly and make sure that the two hands arrive together on each chord.

Once this feels comfortable, move on to Part 2, where we will explore chord inversions as a way to make the right hand move more smoothly.

Learning piano on your own is possible, but guidance can make your practice more focused. At Pivo Music School we help students understand the music, develop efficient practice habits and enjoy steady progress.