John Carpenter · 1978
Origins
John Carpenter directed Halloween (1978) and wrote its music himself, in about three days, because he was "the fastest and cheapest" he could get. The whole film cost around $300,000.
Context
The strange rhythm comes from an exercise his father taught him on the bongos in 1961: five beats to the bar instead of four. Count each bar as 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2, 1-2 and the riff starts to fall under your fingers.
Piano Guide & Structure
Chords in this arrangement:
Practice tip: Count 5/4 meter as 1-2-3, 1-2. Keep your right hand wrist relaxed for the repeated pulses, and let the left-hand bass enter firmly on beat 1.
Interactive challenge to practice before playing:
🎯 Hands Independence Rhythm Trainer →Free, in your browser: follow the falling notes, slow it down, and add it to your learnings.
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Melody in the right hand, bass in the left. Watch the notes fall in Live Piano and play along at your own speed.
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