Before there was rock ’n’ roll, there was country. And yes, the piano can still be included in a country ensemble. This style often sounds relaxed, lyrical, simple, and grassroots-ish, but it ain’t afraid to rock, roll, and rumble.
Artists like Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, and others put all kinds of musical influences in their country music, including elements of rock, blues, and even jazz. Influences aside, though, the folks in Nashville still call it country.
Country-style cooking
To enhance your musical dish with the tastes of country on the piano, add some of these stylistic flavorings:
Intervals
Grace notes
Tremolos
Bum-ba-di-da bass line
A ten-gallon hat, a pair of boots, and maybe even a nice and shiny belt buckle (purchased from a local Western store)
Finger-pickin’ good
Take a look at this nice, relaxed-sounding slice of the country music style. The right-hand intervals are unique in that the melody notes are actually on the bottom while the top notes stay the same. Grace notes and tremolos peppered throughout also give this example the feeling of an Old West saloon.
Check out this little piece of country on the piano in Chapter 17, Video Clip 3.
The left-hand accompaniment pattern is challenging, so practice each hand separately until you can confidently put them together. After this inspiring tune, you may find yourself adding a saddlebag to your piano bench.