Slow-dance heartbeat
Four slow, deep beats under a swaying fifties ballad. 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 the eighth notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. Play C on 1, 4, 7 and 10.
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 Slow-dance heartbeat on piano?
Four slow, deep beats under a swaying fifties ballad. 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, 3, 4 (12/8).
Is Slow-dance heartbeat 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 Slow-dance heartbeat?
Wake Up Alone by Amy Winehouse, She's Always A Woman by Billy Joel and Donna by Ritchie Valens use Slow-dance heartbeat. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.