Ping-pong bounce
High, low, high, low on every beat: a ping-pong bounce. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need G (little finger, 5) and C (index finger, 2).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3, 4. Play C on 1, then G on 2, then C on 3, then G on 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: D and G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Ping-pong bounce on piano?
High, low, high, low on every beat: a ping-pong bounce. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5.
Is Ping-pong bounce 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 Ping-pong bounce?
This Is Halloween by Danny Elfman, One Way Or Another by Blondie and Chiquitita by ABBA use Ping-pong bounce. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.