Candle flicker
Two low chord notes flicker back and forth, warm like candlelight. 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 E (middle finger, 3).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play E on 1, then C on 1&, then E on 2, then C on 2&, then E on 3, then C on 3&, then E on 4, then C on 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G and B. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Candle flicker on piano?
Two low chord notes flicker back and forth, warm like candlelight. The right hand alternating two chord tones. Musicians call it two-note ostinato 3-1.
Is Candle flicker 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 Candle flicker?
Blank Space by Taylor Swift, Boss Of Me by They Might Be Giants and Never Knew I Needed by Ne-Yo use Candle flicker. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.