Waltz drift down
Three notes drift down to the fifth, one per beat, in three. One of the walking bass patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need G (ring finger, 4), A (middle finger, 3) and B (index finger, 2).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3. Play B on 1, then A on 2, then G on 3.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: D, E and F♯. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
None of the songs here use Waltz drift down as their main pattern yet.
Questions
What is Waltz drift down on piano?
Three notes drift down to the fifth, one per beat, in three. A stepwise bass line falling, often a line cliché. Musicians call it walk-down 7-6-5 (3/4).
Is Waltz drift down 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 Waltz drift down?
None of the songs here use it in the left hand as their main pattern yet. You can still hear it and practice it from this page.