Double-skip footsteps
Steady steps with two quick skips, one mid-bar and one at the end. 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 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play low C on 1, then high C on 2, then low C on 2& and 3, then high C on 4, then low 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 Double-skip footsteps on piano?
Steady steps with two quick skips, one mid-bar and one at the end. 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, 4, 4&.
Is Double-skip footsteps 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-skip footsteps?
Liability by Lorde, Jumping Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones and I Want To Break Free by Queen use Double-skip footsteps. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.