Butterfly heartbeat
A quick fluttery group at the start, then a long glide to beat 4. One of the root note patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need low C (little finger, 5) and high C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a" (say "and" for &). Play low C on 1 and 1a, then high C on 2, then low C on 2&, then high C on 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low G and high G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Butterfly heartbeat on piano?
A quick fluttery group at the start, then a long glide to beat 4. The root alone in a fixed rhythm, octave jumps optional. The piano version of a kick-drum pattern. Musicians call it root bass, 1, 1a, 2, 2&, 4.
Is Butterfly heartbeat 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 Butterfly heartbeat?
Perfect by One Direction, Christ In Me by Jeremy Camp and Made Me Glad by Hillsong Worship use Butterfly heartbeat. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.