Lean On Me Chords
Lean on me is one of my favorite songs. Written and performed by Bill Withers, it has lasted through the years as a classic of the musical world. It just so happens that it is also a very easy song to learn how to play! It is a simple chord progression in the simplest key of 'C'. The lyrics with the chords written above them is at the bottom of the page.
Before moving on, I must say that If you are at all serious about learning to play the piano, you are going to need to learn from the right places. Make sure that you read some of the piano course reviews before you leave...they will definitely help you break through as a piano player.
Learn to read this as sheet music too!
Instantly download the handy chord guide and sheet music for this song so you can get better at reading sheet music
Anyway, on to what you came here for...
Chords for Lean on Me
The chord progressions, like I mentioned above, is in the key of 'C' and starts on the root chord of that key...C!
NOTE: All of these chords are played in the first inversion, which just means that instead of the usual triad, you put the root note of the triad on the top instead of on the bottom of the chord. In the case of C, you would normally play the notes C, E and G. You play it in first inversion by playing it with the E as the root note (E, G, C) instead of C.
The chords you will need to know for this song are shown as right hand piano diagrams and notation below. The left hand is simply the natural root of the chord (ie C for the C First Inversion, etc.)
C First Inversion
Dm First Inversion
Em First Inversion
F First Inversion
G7th Chord
P.S. Want to see how these chords on some sheet music? Grab the chord guide and sheet music!
Lean on Me Chord Progression
The progression is simple; all you do is move your hands up the keyboard keeping the same shape. If you can hear the song in your head and play along with these lyrics it will help you to get the tune in your mind.
The progression starts on C and follows this pattern:
C-C-Dm-Em-F...F-Em-Dm-C...C-Dm-Em-Em-Dm
The second time it goes
C-C-Dm-Em-F...F-Em-Dm-C...C-Dm-Em-*G7*-C
and then repeats from there throughout the song except when the music stops and it's just singing and clapping. You can notice this in the YouTube Video.
Now that you can play Lean on Me like nobody's business, it's on to bigger and better things. Read my piano course reviews and really take the next step in becoming the awesome piano player you were meant to be!