Spinning-top pulse
Six even low notes in a three-beat bar, spinning round and round. 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 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on every count.
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 Spinning-top pulse on piano?
Six even low notes in a three-beat bar, spinning round and round. The root alone in a fixed rhythm, octave jumps optional. The piano version of a kick-drum pattern. Musicians call it root bass, 3/4 8ths.
Is Spinning-top pulse 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 Spinning-top pulse?
In Love With Another Man by Jazmine Sullivan, Edge Of Desire by John Mayer and In Christ Alone by Passion use Spinning-top pulse. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.