Jolene Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Jolene in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: C#m – E – B – C#m
Jolene sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C#m is C#, E and G#; E is E, G# and B; B is B, D# and F#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C#mviEIBVC#mvi
- C#mC# · E · G#
- EE · G# · B
- BB · D# · F#
14 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Seesaw bass
Low, higher, low, higher on every beat: a steady seesaw. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 481 songs of the library.
Seesaw bassRoot–fifth bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Shy chords
Waits out beat 1, then a chord on 2 and a little double on 3. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Shy chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 160 BPM
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: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE
- AA · C# · E

What chords are in Jolene?

The loop is C#m – E – B – C#m (vi – I – V – vi) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.

What key is Jolene in?

E major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Jolene?

Seesaw bass: root–fifth 1-5-1-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Jolene 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.

Can I hear the real melody of Jolene?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.