Rowing-boat chords
Six even chords per bar, rolling along like oars on water. One of the syncopated chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need C (thumb, 1), E (middle finger, 3) and G (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count the eighth notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6. Play C, E and G together on every count.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G, B and D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Rowing-boat chords on piano?
Six even chords per bar, rolling along like oars on water. Right-hand chords with off-beat pushes. Musicians call it syncopated chords, 6/8 8ths.
Is Rowing-boat 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 Rowing-boat chords?
The World We Knew by Frank Sinatra, Hopelessly Devoted To You by Olivia Newton-John and Earned It by The Weeknd use Rowing-boat chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.