Song practice guide
How to Practice Jolene
Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' is one of the most-covered country songs in modern history. The minor-key chord progression, the urgent lyric, and Dolly's iconic vocal performance have made it a benchmark for country and indie singers alike.
Song Details
- Key
- Am
- Tempo
- 110 BPM
- Time
- 4/4
- Style
- boom-chuck
Structure
This song is still under copyright, so we publish its form rather than its chord chart. Add it to your library and you can enter or attach your own chart, and Repertoire will schedule it either way.
What to Focus On
Smooth chord changes (Am-C-G in original key, or capo 4 to Am). Driving rhythm. Singing the urgent melody with vocal personality.
Practice Tips
- 1
The chord progression is straightforward. The challenge is in the rhythmic feel and the vocal urgency.
- 2
Dolly's original is the model, but White Stripes' cover and many others show the song's range.
- 3
The lyric is desperate. Sing it like you mean it.
Why This Song
It's the great country crossover song, covered by everyone from Dolly to Beyoncé.
Practice Jolene Daily
Repertoire uses spaced repetition to keep your songs sharp. Add this song to your collection and the system schedules your practice automatically.
No credit card required • Free tier: 3 collections · 15 songs each
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