Bluesy shrug
A long root, then down and back up to a bluesy note. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need G (little finger, 5), B♭ (middle finger, 3) and C (index finger, 2).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3, 4. Play C on 1 and hold it, then G on 3, then B♭ on 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: D, F and G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Bluesy shrug on piano?
A long root, then down and back up to a bluesy note. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-7.
Is Bluesy shrug 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 Bluesy shrug?
Michelle by The Beatles, The Bargain Store by Dolly Parton and I Got A Woman by Ray Charles use Bluesy shrug. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.