Slipping taps
A chord, a few taps on the top note, then a slip one step down. One of the ostinato 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), B♭ (ring finger, 4) and C (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play E, G and C together on 1, then C on 2 and 2&, then B♭ on 3, 4 and 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: B, D, F and G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Slipping taps on piano?
A chord, a few taps on the top note, then a slip one step down. The right hand alternating two chord tones. Musicians call it repeated octave → 7th, 8-8-8-7-7-7.
Is Slipping taps 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 Slipping taps?
Kiss Me Deadly by Lita Ford and Tell You Something by Alicia Keys use Slipping taps. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.