Escalator
A quick run: root, a leap, then steps gliding up to the octave. One of the walking bass patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need low C (little finger, 5), G (ring finger, 4), A (middle finger, 3), B (index finger, 2) and high C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play low C on 1, then G on 1&, then A on 2, then B on 2&, then high C on 3 and hold it.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low G, D, E, F♯ and high G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
None of the songs here use Escalator as their main pattern yet.
Questions
What is Escalator on piano?
A quick run: root, a leap, then steps gliding up to the octave. A stepwise bass line rising into the next chord. Musicians call it walk-up 1-5-6-7-8.
Is Escalator 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 Escalator?
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.