Hammock rocking
Low, high, top, high in a long-short sway, like a swinging hammock. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need low C (little finger, 5), G (index finger, 2) and high C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count the eighth notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6. Play low C on 1, then G on 3, then high C on 4, then G on 6.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low G, D and high G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Hammock rocking on piano?
Low, high, top, high in a long-short sway, like a swinging hammock. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8-5 (6/8).
Is Hammock rocking 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 Hammock rocking?
He Came Looking For Me by The Crabb Family, The Word Is Alive by Casting Crowns and You Are Everything by Matthew West use Hammock rocking. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.