| Beat | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |------|---|---|---|---| | LH | C | G | C | G |
Both hands play chords on the "and" of beats 2 and 4.
| Beat | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |------|---|---|---|---| | RH | C | - | - | - | | LH | C | - | - | - | For drama, roll the LH root slightly before beat 1. Pattern 2: Broken Chords (Walking Feel) Feel: Relaxed, folk, country (The Beatles, Norah Jones).
Count: – and 2 – and 3 – and 4 – and Play: (rest) CHORD (rest) CHORD (rest) CHORD (rest) CHORD Part 3: Two-Hand Coordination Drills Drill A: LH Root + RH Chord (Pattern 1) Play slowly: LH (C) → RH (C) together. Move to F chord. Repeat 20x. Drill B: LH Stride + RH Melody (Pattern 3) LH jumps from C to G. RH plays a simple 3-note melody (e.g., E-D-C). Drill C: Independent Arpeggios (Pattern 4) LH plays low root on beat 1. RH plays arpeggio on beats 2-4. Switch hands. Part 4: Chord Progressions to Practice Apply the 5 patterns to these 3 classic pop progressions:
| Beat | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |------|---|---|---|---| | Notes| C | E | G | C |
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate Goal: Play any pop song using 5 core rhythmic patterns. Introduction Unlike classical music, pop piano is about rhythm, repetition, and feel . Most pop songs use only 3-4 chords (I, IV, V, vi). The magic comes from how you play those chords.
(LH plays bass on beat 1 optionally). Pattern 5: Syncopated (Off-Beat) Pattern Feel: Gospel, neo-soul, R&B (John Legend, Alicia Keys).
Root – 5th – higher root – 5th. (Example in C: C - G - C - G)
| Beat | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |------|---|---|---|---| | LH | C | G | C | G |
Both hands play chords on the "and" of beats 2 and 4.
| Beat | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |------|---|---|---|---| | RH | C | - | - | - | | LH | C | - | - | - | For drama, roll the LH root slightly before beat 1. Pattern 2: Broken Chords (Walking Feel) Feel: Relaxed, folk, country (The Beatles, Norah Jones). pop piano accompaniment patterns pdf
Count: – and 2 – and 3 – and 4 – and Play: (rest) CHORD (rest) CHORD (rest) CHORD (rest) CHORD Part 3: Two-Hand Coordination Drills Drill A: LH Root + RH Chord (Pattern 1) Play slowly: LH (C) → RH (C) together. Move to F chord. Repeat 20x. Drill B: LH Stride + RH Melody (Pattern 3) LH jumps from C to G. RH plays a simple 3-note melody (e.g., E-D-C). Drill C: Independent Arpeggios (Pattern 4) LH plays low root on beat 1. RH plays arpeggio on beats 2-4. Switch hands. Part 4: Chord Progressions to Practice Apply the 5 patterns to these 3 classic pop progressions:
| Beat | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |------|---|---|---|---| | Notes| C | E | G | C | | Beat | 1 | 2 | 3
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate Goal: Play any pop song using 5 core rhythmic patterns. Introduction Unlike classical music, pop piano is about rhythm, repetition, and feel . Most pop songs use only 3-4 chords (I, IV, V, vi). The magic comes from how you play those chords.
(LH plays bass on beat 1 optionally). Pattern 5: Syncopated (Off-Beat) Pattern Feel: Gospel, neo-soul, R&B (John Legend, Alicia Keys). Count: – and 2 – and 3 –
Root – 5th – higher root – 5th. (Example in C: C - G - C - G)