Learn How To Play "Jolene" by Dolly Parton On Guitar!

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Jolene by Dolly Parton on acoustic guitar. This country classic uses only 3 easy open chords, but it has some tricky fingerstyle parts too! We'll start the simple version for any beginner guitar players and develop it to make things a bit more interesting!

We'll also explore the proper finger style you need to sound just like the original recording. This is a great campfire song to learn - an acoustic favorite that will get people singing! It's a great tune to have under your belt, so grab your acoustic, and let's dive in!

🤔 Did you know? Miley Cyrus is Dolly Parton's goddaughter, and she has her own version of Jolene. Her cover projects completetly different emotions, but also sounds beautiful. Dolly must be very proud of her. :)

Simple Beginner Version

If you want to play along with the original recording, you need a capo on your fourth fret. You can also adjust it or play it open if it suits better your singing range. You only need three chords with slightly different chord progressions to play this song.

You'll play arrangements of the A minor, C, and G chords. Use all downstrums; you can even use your thumb instead of a pick. Make sure you can play the whole song and get the feeling of the form and how it works with the lyrics. It'll help stick in your musical mind!

Now for the strumming pattern, take it easy and start with super simple strumming if you're a beginner. You'll play 2 beats per bar with an accent on beat one. This might feel different than your typical 4x4, but relax into the pattern and start slow & you'll get it in no time!

Strumming Variation & Fingerstyle

Time to see what we can do to make things interesting. :) These options will take some practice depending on your skill level. Adding upstrums already makes the rhythm a bit more lively. Increase your tempo as you gain confidence. Keep that strumming hand moving!

For the fingerstyle pattern, the movement really happens by picking the bass note. It's what will give that beautiful movement to this ballad. If you want to get into fingerstyle, but need more help, check out the Folk Fingerstyle Module. It'll teach you the essential patterns to play this acoustic style.

Want chords, tabs, and lyrics to play Jolene? Check out JustinGuitar Tabs!