Racing heartbeat
One calm beat, then non-stop quick notes racing to the end. One of the root note patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. It plays one note, C (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, 2, 2&, 3, 3&, 4 and 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Racing heartbeat on piano?
One calm beat, then non-stop quick notes racing to the end. The root alone in a fixed rhythm, octave jumps optional. The piano version of a kick-drum pattern. Musicians call it root bass, 1, 2, 2&, 3, 3&, 4, 4&.
Is Racing heartbeat hard to play?
It is an intermediate pattern. Learn it with your left hand alone at 60% speed first, then play it over a chord loop.
Which songs use Racing heartbeat?
After The Love Has Gone by Earth, Wind & Fire, Somebody's Watching Me by Rockwell and I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi use Racing heartbeat. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.