How to Actually Play Imagine on Piano (John Lennon Tutorial)

The intro to John Lennon's Imagine is played low on the piano in C major, alternating C major and F major as broken chords in eighth notes, with an added B that turns C into Cmaj7 and a short chromatic lick (A, Bb, B) over the F chord.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Beginner · 9 min

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This lesson from Jason Zac at Nathaniel School of Music breaks down the famous piano intro to John Lennon's Imagine. It suits beginners and anyone who has not played much piano. Once you have the intro, the same pattern carries on under the verse, so you can accompany the song as well.

Before you start: key, register and seating

The song is in C major, using only the white notes. It is played low, in the bass clef region, around the second-lowest C on the piano. If you have a 61-key keyboard, transpose it down by -12 (one octave) so you can reach those low notes.

Sit a little towards the left of the keyboard. Do not insist on centring your body on middle C. For this song that position strains the wrist. Sit comfortably, and you can even stand for a while if that helps.

Step 1: The two chords

The intro is built almost entirely on two chords: C major and F major.

• C major (C E G): use thumb, index and middle finger rather than the usual thumb-middle-pinky. This leaves your other fingers free for the added note and the lick that come later.
• Left hand: simply hold a low C, the root of the chord.
• F major: keep the thumb on C and move the two upper fingers one step to the right so E and G become F and A (C F A). You can also reach with the ring finger.

Play each chord four times as steady quarter notes (crotchets), counting 1, 2, 3, 4. Keep going until the change feels comfortable. Pause and repeat this as often as you need.

Step 2: Break the chords into eighth notes

John Lennon does not play block chords. He breaks them up, and that is what gives the intro its movement and energy. A broken chord is just the notes of the chord played one after another instead of together.

The quarter notes become eighth notes (quavers), dividing each beat in two. Count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. The left hand, played with the pinky, holds the low C under the C chord and moves to F for the F chord.

Step 3: Add the B to make Cmaj7

Over the C chord, extend upwards to B. C E G with B makes C major seventh, which gives the colourful sound of the original. The B also works as a passing note, leading down to the A of the F chord.

Step 4: The lick over F

The lick comes in on the F chord. It climbs chromatically: middle finger on A, then ring finger on Bb and B. Using these fingers matters. Other fingerings force awkward crossings. If your middle finger was not already on A, gradually bring it there before the lick.

The ring finger can feel cramped here. A small bounce of the wrist, or a little weight from the forearm, gives the notes more impact and helps with the trickier part.

Pedal and optional bass notes

• Hold the sustain pedal for each chord and change it as the chord changes.
• Optionally, play an E in the bass on the way from C to F. It makes a smooth step into F.
• You can also add the fifth, G, in the bass under the C chord. Lennon may be doing this.

How to practise

1. Play C and F as quarter notes, four of each, until the change is smooth.
2. Switch to broken chords in eighth notes, counting aloud.
3. Add the B over C for the Cmaj7 sound.
4. Add the A, Bb, B lick over F with the correct fingers.
5. Put in the pedal, then try the optional bass notes.
6. Play the whole intro very slowly, and only then build speed.

If it does not come straight away, keep at it. If you sing, try singing the verse over this pattern. It fits the verse, though not the chorus.

Questions about this lesson

What key is Imagine in on piano?

The original is in C major, using only the white notes. The intro is built mainly on the C major and F major chords.

What fingering should I use for the C chord in Imagine?

Use thumb, index and middle finger on C, E and G instead of thumb, middle and pinky. This leaves fingers free for the added B and the lick.

How is the Imagine intro rhythm played?

The chords are broken up and played as eighth notes, counted 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Practise them as plain quarter notes first, four per chord.

What is the lick in the Imagine intro?

Over the F chord, play a short chromatic climb from A to Bb to B. Use the middle finger on A and the ring finger on Bb and B.

Practise it

• Pop LessonsPractice companions for Jason Zac’s pop piano lessons: octave fillers, chord changes and inversions in every key.
• PitaraPlay the piano on your computer keys or a MIDI keyboard and see every note on the staff with its chord name.
• Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
• All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.

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