Gear-shift pulse
Quick even notes that skip beat 3, like an engine changing gear. 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 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 Gear-shift pulse on piano?
Quick even notes that skip beat 3, like an engine changing gear. The root alone in a fixed rhythm, octave jumps optional. The piano version of a kick-drum pattern. Musicians call it root bass, 1, 1&, 2, 2&, 3&, 4, 4&.
Is Gear-shift 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 Gear-shift pulse?
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths, American Idiot by Green Day and Seasons Of Love by Jonathan Larson use Gear-shift pulse. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.