Trotting-sleigh chords

Three quick chords on every beat: a rolling, joyful gallop. One of the syncopated chord patterns.

Chords: C, G, Am, F
Practice in CAll I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey

How to play it

  1. 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).

  2. Count and play

    Listen first, then copy the rhythm slowly. The notes go C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together, C, E and G together.

  3. 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 Trotting-sleigh chords on piano?

Three quick chords on every beat: a rolling, joyful gallop. Right-hand chords with off-beat pushes. Musicians call it syncopated chords, triplets.

Is Trotting-sleigh chords hard to play?

It is one of the advanced patterns. Take it slowly, one bar at a time at 60% speed, before you play it over a chord loop.

Which songs use Trotting-sleigh chords?

Pride And Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan, All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey and At Last by Etta James use Trotting-sleigh chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.