{"id":7516,"date":"2022-04-29T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-29T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=7516"},"modified":"2023-01-12T14:47:44","modified_gmt":"2023-01-12T22:47:44","slug":"walking-in-memphis-piano-tutorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/walking-in-memphis-piano-tutorial\/","title":{"rendered":"“Walking in Memphis” (Marc Cohn) Piano Tutorial"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Marc Cohn’s classic “Walking in Memphis,” the piano is the star. It’s the first and last thing you hear, and that playful, opening figure on the piano is iconic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to playing, the rhythm in “Walking in Memphis” isn’t the easiest. But once you get it, the unique off-set rhythm in this song can get addictive!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch this tutorial to learn how to play “Walking in Memphis” on piano. Want sheet music? Join Pianote as a Member to download the complete sheet music for this and for more of your favorite songs. Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JOIN PIANOTE<\/a><\/center>\n\n\n\n
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“Walking in Memphis” Piano Tutorial<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Opening Riff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The opening riff contains four open chords: F5, G5, C5, and A5. Play these chords without thirds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way you can play this section is by splitting the action between your left and right hands so that you’re playing a fifth in each hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Now, here’s where it gets fun: the rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rhythm in the piano in “Walking in Memphis” can be described as…unexpected. It’s so catchy because it often lands outside the downbeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll notice that, in the first measure, we start with a three note figure that lands on the downbeat. But this three-note figure only appears once! From then on, we land on an anticipatory beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Put on my blue suede shoes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I boarded the plane<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the middle of the pouring rain…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>