So it would probably be better to call it A A B C! The chord progression and melody of the C section are both different from the first A! Analysis of “Autumn Leaves” - The A sections The song is sort of an A A B A form except that the last 8 measures do not repeat the first 8. It offers an opportunity to practice improvising over the II - V - I progression in both Bb Major and in G Minor! Analysis of “Autumn Leaves” - Structure of the Form Originally written in the key of G Major (and it’s relative, E Minor), it is usually played in Bb Major (or G Minor). In the event that you may not be familiar with the standard jazz style chord voicings here are the basic chord shapes in the key of G minor.Autumn Leaves Analysis of “Autumn Leaves” - IntroductionĪutumn Leaves is a great jazz standard that is an excellent example of a song that moves back and forth between a major key and it’s relative minor key. Of course, people still sing it as a french love song but most of us know it best as a Jazz standard. The whole introduction is in G minor and then Miles plays it in a way that seemed to capture the imagination of all the younger Jazz people and from that point on Autumn Leaves became no longer a French love song but a Jazz Standard. It starts out as a vague uncertain melody in G minor. The record session was lead by Cannonball and they recorded a version of Autumn Leaves it’s in the key of Bb or G minor and has a very extended introduction. In March 1958 Miles Davies recorded it with Cannonball Adderley, strangely enough, this is the only record Miles has made since he became a world figure under somebody else’s name. This version features an all-star line-up of: Here’s another rendition of Autumn Leaves sung in French this time by Mel Tormé. To set the ball straight let’s start by hearing the song sung in French by Yves Montand. The tune Autumn Leaves actually became a jazz tune around 1958 when Miles Davis recorded it with Cannonball Adderley. To set the ball rolling here is a basic set of chords for Autumn Leaves in the key of Gm (Bb Major). The two most popular keys that Autumn Leaves is performed are the keys of Gm (Bb Major) and Em (G Major). Since Jazz music is always in a state of flux with creative musicians constantly pushing the boundaries it’s very difficult for the fledgling Jazz player to find a definitive set of chords. The thing to keep in mind is that Fake books by and large offer printed representation of a particular performance of that tune by certain jazz musicians. In fact, you may have come across several different versions of the song and have become confused as to which is the correct version. If you do play this song you most likely can across it in a Jazz fake book. You might already play Autumn Leaves and are looking for creative ways to expand the harmonic possibilities of this song. O.K that should get your ears pinned on straight! Autumn Leaves Chords: Vanilla Changes Here is Autumn Leaves performed by Jim Hall (Guitar) and Ron Carter (Bass).
So before we go any further and do some musical detective work on the beautiful Autumn Leaves chords let’s listen to the song performed by two masters of their craft. Unfortunately because of their relatively simple melody and not too complex chord progressions, these tunes are more often than not performed badly. One of the reasons this song is so popular particularly amongst newbie Jazz players is that it contains some basic chord progressions and harmonic concepts found in jazz.Īutumn Leaves along with songs such as Satin Doll composed by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in 1953 lyric again by Johnny Mercer. The English lyrics were written later by American lyricist, songwriter, and singer Johnny Mercer. The lyric for the piece started out as a poem Les Feuilles Mortes by Jacques Prévert that was set to music by Kosma. The jazz standard Autumn Leaves composed in 1945 by Joseph Kosma with the original lyric in French by Jacques Prévert remains one of the most popular pieces for musicians to play.
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