Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Lonestar on piano
By Norah Jones
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- 2002
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Lonestar in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – E – Am – D7
How it goes
Lonestar sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; E is E, G# and B; Am is A, C and E; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GVEIIIAmviD7II7- GG · B · D
- EE · G# · B
- AmA · C · E
- D7D · F# · A · C
- 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: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 100 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Lonestar
What chords are in Lonestar?
The loop is G – E – Am – D7 (V – III – vi – II7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Lonestar in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Lonestar?
Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Lonestar 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.