Racing stairs up
Quick steps up, then two hops all the way to the octave. One of the walking bass patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need low C (little finger, 5), D (ring finger, 4), E (middle finger, 3), G (index finger, 2) and high C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play low C on 1, then D on 1&, then E on 2, then G on 2&, then high C on 3 and hold it.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low G, A, B, D and high G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Racing stairs up on piano?
Quick steps up, then two hops all the way to the octave. A stepwise bass line rising into the next chord. Musicians call it walk-up 1-2-3-5-8.
Is Racing stairs up 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 Racing stairs up?
Beauty And The Beast by Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson uses Racing stairs up. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.