Island zigzag
A jump up, then down past the start, in the three-three-two rhythm. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need low G (little finger, 5), C (index finger, 2) and high G (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, then high G on 2&, then low G on 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low D, G and high D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Island zigzag on piano?
A jump up, then down past the start, in the three-three-two rhythm. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 8-12-5.
Is Island zigzag 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 zigzag?
Suspicion by Elvis Presley, Honey Pie by The Beatles and Ventura Highway by America use Island zigzag. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.