Running-late chords
Misses beat 1, then hurries in with busy chords around the beats. One of the syncopated chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need G (thumb, 1), C (middle finger, 3) and E (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play G, C and E together on 1&, 2, 2&, 3&, 4 and 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: D, G and B. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Running-late chords on piano?
Misses beat 1, then hurries in with busy chords around the beats. Right-hand chords with off-beat pushes. Musicians call it syncopated chords, 1&, 2, 2&, 3&, 4, 4&.
Is Running-late 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 Running-late chords?
Harvest Moon by Neil Young, I Feel Love by Donna Summer and Hot N Cold by Katy Perry use Running-late chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.