Eight-bar original ballad: Evening Light
| Bar | Chord | Right hand on 1, &, 2, & | Left hand (beat 1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C4 E4 G4 E4 | C3 |
| 2 | Am | A3 C4 E4 C4 | A2 |
| 3 | F | F3 A3 C4 A3 | F2 |
| 4 | G | G3 B3 D4 B3 | G2 |
| 5 | C | E4 G4 C5 G4 | C3 |
| 6 | F | A3 C4 F4 C4 | F2 |
| 7 | G | B3 D4 G4 D4 | G2 |
| 8 | C | C4 E4 G4 C5 | C3 |
Each written right-hand pitch lasts an eighth note; the left-hand bass begins on beat 1 and may sustain through the bar. Bars 4 and 8 are natural phrase endings. Listen to the arc rather than insisting every four-beat bar be filled with notes.
Compare block and broken versions
Play bar 1 as a whole C chord on beat 1. Then play the four-note arpeggiated fragment above, maintaining identical harmony. The rhythm is different; the chord identity is unchanged. Try a gentle optional pulse (for example 60 beats per minute) and ensure every & lies halfway between counted beats.
Avoid muddy pedal
Learn the pattern dry, with no pedal. If you add sustain, lift and renew it around every harmony change so the previous chord does not bleed. A complete explanation appears in the pedal-timing lesson.
Make your own ending
Repeat bars 5–8 but omit the final C5 note to end quietly on the C triad. If the top note makes the phrase uncomfortable, transpose or lower it an octave rather than stretching. For the underlying mechanics see beginner arpeggios.
Sources and scope
Source and topic references checked 28 October 2026. The linked articles/course outlines substantiate the indicated general principles and coverage, not our precise original exercise, performance effectiveness, or a first-hand review. Music studies here were independently composed for this site; external musician review before publishing is still outstanding.
- Yamaha — How to Create Flowing Keyboard Accompaniments — chord-note arpeggiation and re-pedaling on chord changes; our note grids remain independently written.