Jazz walk
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. One of the walking bass patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need C (little finger, 5), D (ring finger, 4), E♭ (middle finger, 3) and E (index finger, 2).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3, 4. Play C on 1, then D on 2, then E♭ on 3, then E on 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G, A, B♭ and B. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Jazz walk on piano?
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. One bass note per beat, mixing chord tones and passing tones (jazz). Musicians call it walking bass.
Is Jazz walk 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 Jazz walk?
Jingle Bells by Glee Cast, Creep by Radiohead and Pride And Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan use Jazz walk. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.