Island seesaw
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. One of the root and fifth patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need C (little finger, 5) and G (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, then G on 2&, then C on 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G and D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Island seesaw on piano?
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Root and fifth alternating: country, folk and march bass. Musicians call it root-fifth 1-5-1.
Is Island seesaw 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 Island seesaw?
Kiss The Rain by Yiruma, Believer by Imagine Dragons and Let Me Down Slowly by Alec Benjamin use Island seesaw. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.