Shimmering waves
A low root, then two notes rocking fast like light on water. One of the left-hand arpeggio patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need C (little finger, 5), G (index finger, 2) and E (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, then G on 1&, then E on 2, then G on 2&, then E on 3, then G on 3&, then E on 4, then G on 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G, D and B. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Shimmering waves on piano?
A low root, then two notes rocking fast like light on water. An arpeggio spanning a 10th: the classic ballad left hand. Musicians call it open arpeggio 1-5.
Is Shimmering waves 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 Shimmering waves?
The Lonely by Christina Perri, Teardrops On My Guitar by Taylor Swift and Can't Feel My Face by The Weeknd use Shimmering waves. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.