Pieces › In the spirit of the hits

Pumping eighth notes

F – G – C – A minor, hammered chords

Lots of pop-rock hits are driven by chords repeated in eighth notes, eight per measure: pumping eighths. They give an irresistible energy.

The IV – V – I – vi progression (F – G – C – A minor) is the one from Viva la Vida.

Heard in: Viva la Vida (Coldplay), Rolling in the Deep (Adele, for the pumping eighths)

Tips

• Play from the wrist, not the arm: small, even bounces.
• Accent the first eighth note of each beat slightly.

Pumping eighths in the right hand

Eight eighth notes per measure on each chord. The computer plays the bass notes.

Both hands

Add the bass in whole notes: F (5), G (4), C (1), A (3).