Stair steps
Three notes climb up the chord in the island rhythm. 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) and G (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, then E on 2&, 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, B and D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Stair steps on piano?
Three notes climb up the chord in the island rhythm. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 1-3-5.
Is Stair steps 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 Stair steps?
Now Comes The Night by Rob Thomas, Got My Mind Set On You by George Harrison and All Of Me by John Legend use Stair steps. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.