Moonlight slide down
Three close notes gliding down through the root, soft and wistful. One of the walking bass patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need B (ring finger, 4), C (middle finger, 3) and D♭ (index finger, 2).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3. Play D♭ on 1, then C on 2, then B on 3.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: F♯, G and A♭. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
None of the songs here use Moonlight slide down as their main pattern yet.
Questions
What is Moonlight slide down on piano?
Three close notes gliding down through the root, soft and wistful. A stepwise bass line falling, often a line cliché. Musicians call it walk-down 9-8-7 (3/4).
Is Moonlight slide 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 Moonlight slide 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.