Bounce-and-climb

Bounces on the root, then two quick steps up at the very end. One of the walking bass patterns.

Chords: C, G, Am, F

How to play it

  1. Find the notes

    Put your left hand over a C chord. You need C (little finger, 5), D (ring finger, 4) and E (middle finger, 3).

  2. Count and play

    Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, 2& and 3, then D on 4, then E on 4&.

  3. Move it with the chords

    When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G, A and B. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.

Songs that use it

None of the songs here use Bounce-and-climb as their main pattern yet.

Questions

What is Bounce-and-climb on piano?

Bounces on the root, then two quick steps up at the very end. A stepwise bass line rising into the next chord. Musicians call it walk-up 1-1-1-2-3.

Is Bounce-and-climb 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 Bounce-and-climb?

None of the songs here use it in the left hand as their main pattern yet. You can still hear it and practice it from this page.