Super Simple Piano
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Zigzag chords

Steady at first, then a quick zigzag of chords around beat 3. One of the syncopated chord patterns.

Chords: C, G, Am, F
Practice in CHe Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli

How to play it

  1. 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).

  2. Count and play

    Count "1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a" (say "and" for &). Play G, C and E together on 1, 2, 2a, 3e, 3& and 4.

  3. 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 Zigzag chords on piano?

Steady at first, then a quick zigzag of chords around beat 3. Right-hand chords with off-beat pushes. Musicians call it syncopated chords, 1, 2, 2a, 3e, 3&, 4.

Is Zigzag 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 Zigzag chords?

Creep by Stone Temple Pilots, Here Is Gone by Goo Goo Dolls and Calling All Angels by Train use Zigzag chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.