Waltz rocking
Three quick notes up to the top, then one long note back down. 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 &" (say "and" for &). Play low C on 1, then G on 1&, then high C 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: 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 Waltz rocking on piano?
Three quick notes up to the top, then one long note back down. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8-5 (3/4).
Is Waltz rocking 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 Waltz rocking?
I Giorni by Ludovico Einaudi, Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens and Silent Night by Casting Crowns use Waltz rocking. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.