Bubbling climb
Three notes climb, then start again: a rippling rise that sways in two. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need C (little finger, 5), E (middle finger, 3) and G (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count the eighth notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6. Play C on 1, then E on 2, then G on 3, then C on 4, then E on 5, then G on 6.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G, B and D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Bubbling climb on piano?
Three notes climb, then start again: a rippling rise that sways in two. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 1-3-5 (6/8).
Is Bubbling climb hard to play?
It is an intermediate pattern. Learn it with your left hand alone at 60% speed first, then play it over a chord loop.
Which songs use Bubbling climb?
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C# Minor ("Moonlight") Op. 27 No. 2 First Movement Theme by Ludwig van Beethoven, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and His Eye Is On The Sparrow by Mahalia Jackson use Bubbling climb. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.