Pulsing star
A chord, then one bright high note pulsing on every quick beat. One of the ostinato patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need low G (thumb, 1), C (index finger, 2), E (middle finger, 3) and high G (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play low G, C and E together on 1, then high G on 1&, 2, 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: low D, G, B and high D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Pulsing star on piano?
A chord, then one bright high note pulsing on every quick beat. The right hand alternating two chord tones. Musicians call it two-note ostinato 10-12.
Is Pulsing star 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 Pulsing star?
Borderline by Madonna, Feel So Close by Calvin Harris and That's What I Love About Sunday by Craig Morgan use Pulsing star. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.