The Rocking Wrist

Listen to Ben Folds’ piano work on “Landed” and you’ll hear a powerful piano style that goes hand in hand with the singer/songwriter’s pop, rock, and punk aesthetic. When writing songs at the piano, artists like Ben often include a piano part that marks each beat. In other words, you could take the rest of the band away and still hear exactly where the “pulse” of the music is. This is easily achieved by playing quarter-note chords with the right hand while the left hand plays whole-notes (see Example 1). While you’re playing through Example 1, notice the Gm7 chord in measure 3. While the right hand is playing a B Major triad, the left hand plays a G below the chord to give it a new quality. A similar approach is used in measure 4, where a left hand E and a right hand G minor triad are combined to form an EMaj7 chord.

Instant Pop Ballad

Creating the Pattern with Other Chord Progressions

Take a triad, such as B Major, and play it with your right hand. Keeping that same shape, play only the top two notes (in this case D and F) at the same time, then play the root note (in this case B). Alternate between these two “sides” of the chord, like in Example 2. Play the root note an octave or two lower (also in Example 2) and now you’ve got instant pop-ballad accompaniment. Notice that your right hand makes a rocking motion while you play this pattern (if it doesn’t, you may want to loosen up a little, so the wrist is still up but not tense). Think of turning a doorknob while you play this way.

I encourage you to try these patterns out with your own chord progressions. Have fun!