Beacon blink
The root and a higher note blink on and off, calm and clear. One of the ostinato patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need C (thumb, 1) and G (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, then G on 1&, then C on 2, then G on 2&, then C on 3, then G on 3&, then C on 4, 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 and D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Beacon blink on piano?
The root and a higher note blink on and off, calm and clear. The right hand alternating two chord tones. Musicians call it two-note ostinato 1-5.
Is Beacon blink hard to play?
It is an intermediate pattern. Learn it with your right hand alone at 60% speed first, then play it over a chord loop.
Which songs use Beacon blink?
Breathless by The Corrs, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol and Who Wants To Live Forever by Queen use Beacon blink. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.