Drowsy heartbeat
Two slow notes, then a late one that slips in before the next bar. 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 and hold it, then high C on 3, 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 Drowsy heartbeat on piano?
Two slow notes, then a late one that slips in before the next bar. The root alone in a fixed rhythm, octave jumps optional. The piano version of a kick-drum pattern. Musicians call it root bass, 1, 3, 4&.
Is Drowsy 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 Drowsy heartbeat?
Jumper by Third Eye Blind, My All by Mariah Carey and Bad Blood by Taylor Swift use Drowsy heartbeat. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.