Hymn stairs down
Three notes step down the middle of the chord, calm as a hymn. One of the walking bass patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need E (middle finger, 3), F (index finger, 2) and G (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3. Play G on 1, then F on 2, then E on 3.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: B, C and D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
None of the songs here use Hymn stairs down as their main pattern yet.
Questions
What is Hymn stairs down on piano?
Three notes step down the middle of the chord, calm as a hymn. A stepwise bass line falling, often a line cliché. Musicians call it walk-down 5-4-3 (3/4).
Is Hymn stairs down 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 Hymn stairs down?
None of the songs here use it in the left hand as their main pattern yet. You can still hear it and practice it from this page.