Wobbling tick-tock
The root and the note just below take turns: a cheeky swinging wobble. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need B (index finger, 2) and C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count 1, 2, 3, 4. Play C on 1, then B on 2, then C on 3, then B on 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: F♯ and G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Wobbling tick-tock on piano?
The root and the note just below take turns: a cheeky swinging wobble. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 8-7.
Is Wobbling tick-tock 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 Wobbling tick-tock?
Jingle Bells by J. Pierpont, Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney and Halloween Surprise by Ronald Bennett use Wobbling tick-tock. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.