Pony-trot chords
Quick trotting chords, then a jump over beat 3 to its “and”. One of the syncopated chord 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, G and C together on 1, 1&, 2, 2&, 3& 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 Pony-trot chords on piano?
Quick trotting chords, then a jump over beat 3 to its “and”. Right-hand chords with off-beat pushes. Musicians call it syncopated chords, 1, 1&, 2, 2&, 3&, 4.
Is Pony-trot chords 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 Pony-trot chords?
I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift, A Million Miles Away by Rihanna and Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones use Pony-trot chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.