Hop-back bounce
High, low, then back up to stay: a simple, sturdy bounce. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need G (little finger, 5) and C (index finger, 2).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3, 4. Play C on 1, then G on 2, then C on 3 and 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: D and G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Hop-back bounce on piano?
High, low, then back up to stay: a simple, sturdy bounce. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8-8.
Is Hop-back bounce 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 Hop-back bounce?
Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony, Paradise City by Guns N' Roses and Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder use Hop-back bounce. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.