Bossa seesaw
Low-low, high-high in a laid-back Brazilian sway. One of the root and fifth patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need C (little finger, 5) and G (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1 and 2&, then G on 3 and 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G and D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Bossa seesaw on piano?
Low-low, high-high in a laid-back Brazilian sway. Root and fifth alternating: country, folk and march bass. Musicians call it root-fifth 1-1-5-5.
Is Bossa seesaw 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 Bossa seesaw?
Making Today A Perfect Day by Idina Menzel & Kristen Bell and Cast, Abc by The Jackson 5 and The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding use Bossa seesaw. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.