Double island pulse
The island rhythm squeezed in twice per bar: quick and dancy. One of the root note patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. It plays one note, C (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, 1a, 2&, 3, 3a and 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Double island pulse on piano?
The island rhythm squeezed in twice per bar: quick and dancy. 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&, 3, 3a, 4&.
Is Double island pulse 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 Double island pulse?
On The Floor by Jennifer Lopez, I Lived by OneRepublic and Georgia by Vance Joy use Double island pulse. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.