Drifting waves
A low note, then a high pair drifting back and forth in three. One of the left-hand arpeggio patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need C (little finger, 5), G (index finger, 2) and E (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, then G on 1&, then E on 2, then G on 2&, then E on 3.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G, D and B. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
None of the songs here use Drifting waves as their main pattern yet.
Questions
What is Drifting waves on piano?
A low note, then a high pair drifting back and forth in three. An arpeggio spanning a 10th: the classic ballad left hand. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5-10-5-10 (3/4).
Is Drifting waves 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 Drifting waves?
None of the songs here use it in the left hand as their main pattern yet. You can still hear it and practice it from this page.