Cradle pulse
A deep note, a rock to beat two, a soft pickup back: like a cradle. 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 the eighth notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6. Play low C on 1, then high C on 4, then low C on 6.
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 Cradle pulse on piano?
A deep note, a rock to beat two, a soft pickup back: like a cradle. The root alone in a fixed rhythm, octave jumps optional. The piano version of a kick-drum pattern. Musicians call it root bass, 1, 2, 2.3 (6/8).
Is Cradle pulse 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 Cradle pulse?
The World We Knew by Frank Sinatra, Snowman by Sia and Misery by Maroon 5 use Cradle pulse. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.