Bossa chords
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: soft Brazilian chords. One of the syncopated chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need E (thumb, 1), G (index finger, 2) and C (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play E, G and C together on 1, 2&, 3 and 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: B, D and G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Bossa chords on piano?
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: soft Brazilian chords. Right-hand chords with off-beat pushes. Musicians call it syncopated chords, bossa (1, 2&, 3, 4&).
Is Bossa chords hard to play?
It is a beginner pattern. Play it with your right hand alone at 60% speed until it feels steady, then add the other hand.
Which songs use Bossa chords?
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now by The Smiths, Wildflowers by Tom Petty and City Of Stars by Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone use Bossa chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.