Heartbeat octaves
Low, high, low, high: a bouncing heartbeat. One of the octave bass 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. Play low C on 1, then high C on 2, then low C on 3, then high 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 Heartbeat octaves on piano?
Low, high, low, high: a bouncing heartbeat. The root alternating low and high octave on every note. Musicians call it rocking octaves.
Is Heartbeat octaves 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 Heartbeat octaves?
Die For You by The Weeknd, Black by Pearl Jam and Video Games by Lana Del Rey use Heartbeat octaves. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.