Hopping heartbeat
Quick hops into the middle of the bar, then a rest on beat 4. 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& and 3 and hold it.
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 Hopping heartbeat on piano?
Quick hops into the middle of the bar, then a rest on beat 4. 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&, 3.
Is Hopping heartbeat 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 Hopping heartbeat?
Make Me Feel by Janelle Monae, Tom Sawyer by Rush and Yeah! by Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris use Hopping heartbeat. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.