Rising chords
Up the chord and back in quick notes, gently lifting the song. One of the right-hand arpeggio patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need low C (thumb, 1), G (index finger, 2) and high C (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play low C on 1, then G on 1&, then high C on 2, then G on 2&, then low C on 3, then G on 3&, then high C on 4, then G on 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low G, D and high G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Rising chords on piano?
Up the chord and back in quick notes, gently lifting the song. A right-hand arpeggio rising through the chord. Musicians call it rising arpeggio 1-5-8-5.
Is Rising 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 Rising chords?
Here Comes Your Man by Pixies, Atlas by Coldplay and Open Hands by Ingrid Michaelson use Rising chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.