Tap-and-nudge
Waits a beat, taps the root five times, then nudges one step up. One of the ostinato patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need C (thumb, 1) and D (index finger, 2).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 2, 2&, 3, 3& and 4, then D on 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: G and A. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Tap-and-nudge on piano?
Waits a beat, taps the root five times, then nudges one step up. The right hand alternating two chord tones. Musicians call it repeated root → 2nd.
Is Tap-and-nudge 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 Tap-and-nudge?
It's Still Rock And Roll To Me by Billy Joel uses Tap-and-nudge. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.