Pitter-patter
A chord, then one note pattering steadily like gentle rain. One of the ostinato 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 and C together on 1, then G on 2, 3, 3&, 4 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 Pitter-patter on piano?
A chord, then one note pattering steadily like gentle rain. The right hand alternating two chord tones. Musicians call it chord + repeated 5th, 8-5-5-5-5-5.
Is Pitter-patter 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 Pitter-patter?
Superman by Five For Fighting, I Need My Girl by The National and Despacito by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber use Pitter-patter. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.