Groovy roots
Notes jump around the “ands”, giving the bass a funky bounce. One of the root note patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. It plays one note, C (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, 1&, 2&, 3, 3& and 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Groovy roots on piano?
Notes jump around the “ands”, giving the bass a funky bounce. The root alone in a fixed rhythm, octave jumps optional. The piano version of a kick-drum pattern. Musicians call it root bass, syncopated 8ths.
Is Groovy roots 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 Groovy roots?
Lovesong by The Cure, Slow Ride by Foghat and Imagine by John Lennon use Groovy roots. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.