Left-hand pattern · Bossa beach
Island seesaw
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1.
Want to mix it with other hands?
How Island seesaw 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–fifth bass: Two notes taking turns: the classic country and folk bass.
Songs with Island seesaw
Each one opens with this pattern in its player.
Often comes next
The patterns songs move to after Island seesaw, from verse to chorus.
More two-step bass
All patternsQuestions about Island seesaw
What is Island seesaw on piano?
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1, one of the root–fifth bass patterns: two notes taking turns: the classic country and folk bass.
How do I play root–fifth 1-5-1 with the left hand?
Over C major it is C3 (5), then G3 (1), then C3 (5); 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 Island seesaw?
It is heard in 723 songs of the library, as the main groove of 72 songs, such as New York, New York, Don’t Blame Me, I’ve Got The World On A String, Alexander’s Ragtime Band.
Is Island seesaw easy?
It is an easy pattern, in 4/4, usually around 120 beats a minute.