Busy rocking
A low root, then quick notes rocking between two higher keys. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need low C (little finger, 5), G (index finger, 2) and high C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play low C on 1, then G on 1&, then high C on 2, then G on 2&, then high C on 3, then G on 3&, then high C on 4, then G on 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low G, D and high G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Busy rocking on piano?
A low root, then quick notes rocking between two higher keys. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5.
Is Busy rocking 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 Busy rocking?
Lovely by Billie Eilish & Khalid, Viva La Vida by Coldplay and Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova use Busy rocking. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.