Three-step climb
Root, fifth, octave, then let it ring. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need low C (little finger, 5), G (index finger, 2) and high C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play low C on 1, then G on 1&, then high C on 2 and hold it.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low G, D and high G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Three-step climb on piano?
Root, fifth, octave, then let it ring. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8.
Is Three-step 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 Three-step climb?
Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi, Iridescent by Linkin Park and Beauty And The Beast by Alan Menken use Three-step climb. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.