Rock’n’roll climb
Up three chord notes and one step past: the 1950s rock’n’roll climb. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need C (little finger, 5), E (middle finger, 3), G (index finger, 2) and A (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3, 4. Play C on 1, then E on 2, then G on 3, then A on 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G, B, D and E. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Rock’n’roll climb on piano?
Up three chord notes and one step past: the 1950s rock’n’roll climb. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 1-3-5-6.
Is Rock’n’roll climb 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 Rock’n’roll climb?
Rock 'N' Roll Is King by Electric Light Orchestra, Doctor, My Eyes by Jackson Browne and Surfin' U.s.a. by The Beach Boys use Rock’n’roll climb. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.