Banana-peel slip
Four steady beats on one note, then a quick slip down into the next bar. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need B♭ (index finger, 2) and C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, 2, 3 and 4, then B♭ on 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: F and G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Banana-peel slip on piano?
Four steady beats on one note, then a quick slip down into the next bar. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 8-8-8-8-7.
Is Banana-peel slip hard to play?
It is a beginner pattern. Play it with your left hand alone at 60% speed until it feels steady, then add the other hand.
Which songs use Banana-peel slip?
Walking On The Moon by The Police, I'm So Excited by The Pointer Sisters and Freeway Of Love by Aretha Franklin use Banana-peel slip. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.