Nashville Cats Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Nashville Cats in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – G – C – G
Nashville Cats sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGVCIGV
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
144 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
Yo-yo bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Hopscotch bells
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.
Hopscotch bellsBlock 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: C – G – C
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CGC

What chords are in Nashville Cats?

The loop is C – G – C – G (I – V – I – V) in C major, and the song ends on C – G – C.

What key is Nashville Cats in?

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

What does the left hand play in Nashville Cats?

Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Nashville Cats 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.