Heartbeat chords
Long, short, long: chords on the pop heartbeat, then a rest. 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 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play G, C and E together on 1, 2& and 3 and hold it.
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 Heartbeat chords on piano?
Long, short, long: chords on the pop heartbeat, then a rest. Right-hand chords with off-beat pushes. Musicians call it syncopated chords, charleston push (1, 2&, 3).
Is Heartbeat 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 Heartbeat chords?
My Everything by Ariana Grande, Soldier Boy by The Shirelles and Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey use Heartbeat chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.