Cartwheel chords
Five evenly spaced chords roll across the beats, then land on 4. One of the syncopated chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need G (thumb, 1), C (middle finger, 3) and E (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a" (say "and" for &). Play G, C and E together on 1, 1a, 2&, 3e and 4.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: D, G and B. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Cartwheel chords on piano?
Five evenly spaced chords roll across the beats, then land on 4. Right-hand chords with off-beat pushes. Musicians call it syncopated chords, 1, 1a, 2&, 3e, 4.
Is Cartwheel 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 Cartwheel chords?
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, Linger by The Cranberries and 22 by Taylor Swift use Cartwheel chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.