Stepping-down taps
A late start, three taps on one note, then three on a lower one. 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) and G (middle finger, 3).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play G on 2, 2& and 3, then E 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 and D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Stepping-down taps on piano?
A late start, three taps on one note, then three on a lower one. The right hand alternating two chord tones. Musicians call it repeated 5th → 3rd.
Is Stepping-down 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 Stepping-down taps?
Better Is One Day by Rebecca St. James and Here We Go Again by Demi Lovato use Stepping-down taps. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.