Left-hand pattern · Pop heartbeat
Bouncy-ball heartbeat
A low note, then high bounces on every “and”, like a bouncing ball. Musicians call it root bass on beats 1, 1&, 2&, 3&, 4&.
Want to mix it with other hands?
How Bouncy-ball heartbeat goes
One bar over a C chord: a row for each key, a column for each step, the finger on each note. Over another chord, move the same shape to its root.
Root bass rhythm: Just the lowest note, played in a rhythm you can dance to.
Songs with Bouncy-ball heartbeat
Each one opens with this pattern in its player.
Often comes next
The patterns songs move to after Bouncy-ball heartbeat, from verse to chorus.
More heartbeats
All patternsQuestions about Bouncy-ball heartbeat
What is Bouncy-ball heartbeat on piano?
A low note, then high bounces on every “and”, like a bouncing ball. Musicians call it root bass on beats 1, 1&, 2&, 3&, 4&, one of the root bass rhythm patterns: just the lowest note, played in a rhythm you can dance to.
How do I play root bass · 1 · 1& · 2& · 3& · 4& with the left hand?
Over C major it is C3 (5), then C4 (1), then C4 (1), then C4 (1), then C4 (1); the number after each note is the finger (1 is the thumb). Over any other chord, move the same shape to that chord's root.
What songs use Bouncy-ball heartbeat?
It is heard in 203 songs of the library, as the main groove of 42 songs, such as September, Tears In Heaven, Hello, It’s Me, Song Of Love.
Is Bouncy-ball heartbeat easy?
It is an easy pattern, in 4/4, usually around 105 beats a minute.