Marching giant
Thick three-note chords on every beat, rocking between two shapes. One of the left-hand 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 (middle finger, 3), E (index finger, 2) and high G (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3, 4. Play C, E and high G together on 1 and 2, then low G, C and E together on 3 and 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low D, G, B and high D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Marching giant on piano?
Thick three-note chords on every beat, rocking between two shapes. Left-hand chords or power fifths in rhythm. Musicians call it lh triads.
Is Marching giant 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 Marching giant?
Turning Page by Sleeping At Last, Misty by Sarah Vaughan and A Whiter Shade Of Pale by Procol Harum use Marching giant. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.