Pendulum swing
One note ticking on every quick beat, rocking in two big swings. One of the ostinato patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. It plays one note, C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count the eighth notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6. Play C on every count.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
None of the songs here use Pendulum swing as their main pattern yet.
Questions
What is Pendulum swing on piano?
One note ticking on every quick beat, rocking in two big swings. One right-hand note repeated as a pulse. Musicians call it repeated-note pulse (6/8).
Is Pendulum swing 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 Pendulum swing?
None of the songs here use it in the right hand as their main pattern yet. You can still hear it and practice it from this page.