How Many Instruments Can Dolly Parton Play?

Dolly Parton plays at least 10 instruments. She started playing the guitar when she was just a child and has since learned to play the banjo, autoharp, fiddle, mandolin, and more. She was born into a family of musicians, so it’s no wonder that she can play so many different instruments. 

In fact, she even played the steel guitar in her song “I Will Always Love You.” If you’re ever at a Dolly Parton concert, be sure to watch her play the autoharp- it’s a really neat instrument!

It’s definitely clear that Dolly Parton is truly a musical master. And to prove that, here’s a list of the musical instruments she can play:

  • Dulcimer
  • Autoharp
  • Banjo
  • Guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Fiddle
  • Piano
  • Recorder
  • Saxophone
  • Harmonica
  • Violin
  • Mandolin
  • Pan-flute

Pretty impressive, right? But being the true musician that she is, she even made an instrument out of her acrylic nails! 

During her appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show, she revealed that she played parts of the chorus with her nails. According to her, she used her acrylic nails while she was writing the song “9 to 5” on the set because they made noise and sounded like a typewriter.

What is Dolly Parton’s Music Style?

Dolly Parton is a country singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and raised with traditional country music. As a result, her music style has always been country.

However, she has also experimented with other genres over the years. For example, her album “I Will Always Love You” is a country-pop crossover album. And her song “Jolene” has been covered by many different artists, including the rock band The White Stripes.

So what can you expect from a Dolly Parton concert? A mix of country music with some pop and rock thrown in there! She even sometimes performs covers of songs from other genres. If you’re a fan of country music, then you’ll definitely love a Dolly Parton concert. If you’re not, don’t worry- she can still entertain you with her music style.

About Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, and author who has achieved success in multiple industries. The singer has released 52 studio albums and won eight Grammy Awards, ten Country Music Association Awards, seven Academy of Country Music Awards, two Academy Award nominations, and three American Music Awards. In addition to her music career, she has had success in film and television.

Summary

Dolly Parton is a musical master and can play at least 10 instruments. She started playing the guitar when she was just a child but has since learned to play the banjo, autoharp, fiddle, mandolin, and more. 

Not only is she an amazing musician, but she’s also a successful singer, songwriter, actress, and author. If you’re ever lucky enough to see her in concert, be prepared for a mix of country music with some pop and rock thrown in. You won’t be disappointed!

Dolly Parton Featured Image by: Curtis Hilbun, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons