Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Forever Country on piano
Written by Willie Nelson, Bill Danoff & others
- G major
- 2/2
- 160 BPM
- IV–V–I–vi loop
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Forever Country in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – D – G – Em
How it goes
Forever Country sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; D is D, F# and A; G is G, B and D; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIVDVGIEmvi- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
- 2
Left hand: Stride jumps
How it goes
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
How it goes
A high bell note, a chord, a skipped beat, and one more chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 160 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: G – Am – G
How it goes
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GAmG- AmA · C · E
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Questions about Forever Country
What chords are in Forever Country?
The loop is C – D – G – Em (IV – V – I – vi) in G major, and the song ends on G – Am – G.
What key is Forever Country in?
G major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Forever Country?
Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Forever Country easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.