Analysis of “Autumn Leaves” - Introduction
Autumn 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. Originally written in the key of G Major (and it’s relative, E Minor), it is usually played in Bb Major (or G Minor). 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
- The form of Autumn Leaves is AAB where A is 8 bars and B is 16 bars, so it is a 32 bar form. The arrangement is using call-response to also allow the chords to add some groove to. This also allows for using the melody in the lower octave that often sounds a.
- Learn The Autumn Leaves Guitar Solo! Along With My Autumn Leaves Backing Track h.
Autumn leaves is a famous jazz standard composed by Joseph Kosma and is known by both jazz players and casual listeners alike. In this blog post, we'll provide some examples of how to play chord melody, single-note solos, and comping ideas for the tune.
The song is sort of an A A B A form except that the last 8 measures do not repeat the first 8. 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 first eight measures of the tune comprise the following progression:
/Cmi7 /F7 /Bbma7 /Ebma7 /AØ /D7b9 /Gmi7 /Gmi7 /
The first four measures can be analyzed as IImi7 - V7 - Ima7 - IVma7 in Bb Major. The easiest way to improvise over this progression is to use a Bb Major scale since all of the chords are in the key of Bb Major! Of course, you must give emphasis to the chord tones to identify each chord but you can more or less just move around in the key and you will be getting the general sound. Even better, try to use some digital patterns to get good melodic motion over the progression! You can find some ideas about digital patterns in my blog about the II - V - I progression.
The second four measures can be analyzed as IIØ - V7b9 - Imi7 in G Minor. Similar to the first four measures, the easiest way to improvise over this progression is to use a G Harmonic Minor scale. It includes all of the chord tones of the three chords with one exception: The Gmi7 has an F natural in it and the G Harmonic Minor scale has an F# in it. So the F# in the scale should not be emphasized but can still be used as a melodic approach tone to the note G (root of the Gmi7 chord). Again, emphasize chord tones and try to use digital patterns moving through the G Harmonic Minor scale. Most melodic patterns will sound equally good over either a II - V - I in major or minor. Use the Major scale of the Ima7 chord over the II - V - I in a major key and use the Harmonic Minor scale of the Imi7 chord over the II - V - I in a minor key!
Analysis of “Autumn Leaves” - The B section
Autumn Leaves Chords Piano
The chord progression of the bridge (B section) is just the opposite of the A sections as follows:
/AØ /D7b9 /Gmi7 /Gmi7 /Cmi7 /F7 /Bbma7 /Ebma7 /
The first four measures are a II - V - I in G Minor and the second four measures are a II - V - I in Bb Major. So the same approach as was used in the A sections applies here but is reversed.
Analysis of “Autumn Leaves” - The C section
The C section is mainly in G Minor but has more harmonic activity and some key changes:
/AØ /D7b9 /Gmi7 C7 /Fmi7 Bb7 /Eb7 /AØ D7b9 /Gmi7 /Gmi7 /
The first two and a half measures constitute a II - V - I in G Minor so the same approach used in the first 24 bars of the tune applies here. But the 3rd and 4th bars change keys quickly! The 3rd bar (Gmi7 C7) is a II - V progression in F Major and the 4th bar (Fmi7 Bb7) is a II - V progression in Eb Major. So, as in the II - V - I progression in a major key, you can simply use those two major scales, F Major and Eb Major. However, the Eb7 requires a dominant 7th scale (Mixolydian) that includes a Db. Because there is an A natural in the key of G Minor, the best sound would be a Lydian, b7 scale (Eb F G A Bb C Db Eb). The last three measures may again use the G Harmonic Minor Scale.
Analysis of “Autumn Leaves” - A more complex treatment
Up to this point, I have been recommending “bracketing” chords with a single scale to simplify the process because there are less different scale colors to navigate. But, as you become confident improvising on the tune, you will probably want more variety in the sound! So then you may want to change the scale choice with each chord. Many of these choices are already made for you by the function of the chord, the key, and the context (preceding and following chords). Some of these choices are a matter of fact as is indicated below:
Cmi7 - II function should be a Dorian scale (Bb Major)
F7 - the largest variety of choices, any dominant 7th scale (except Minor Blues)
Bbma7 - tonic function calls for Bb Major scale, Bb Lydian (F Major) could be used
Ebma7 - IV function requires Lydian scale (Bb Major)
AØ - basic half-diminished scale is Locrian (Bb Major)
D7b9 - Should include alterations which predict the key signature of the Imi7 to follow. The two best choices are the 5th mode of Harmonic Minor (G Harmonic Minor) and D Super Locrian (Eb Melodic Minor)
Gmi7 - tonic function calls for G Aeolian (Bb Major). Can also use Dorian (F Major)
Gmi7 - C7 and Fmi7 - Bb7 - It’s best not to alter the C7 or Bb7. The quick key changes provide enough harmonic interest! So use the major scales of the keys, F Major and Eb Major. These two measures also present an opportunity for melodic sequences so try to play the same identical melodic idea in both keys!
When embarking on this more complex treatment, be sure to start at a slower tempo and try to emphasize the 3rds and 7ths of chords. These are the most important chord tones in any chord and bring out the quality of the chords (ma7, mi7, dom7,half-diminished, etc.). Listen to recordings by great artists, copy ideas that you like and incorporate them into your solo!
Hey, guys, today I really want to show you how you can simplify this awesome song called Autumn Leaves on Acoustic guitar and really make it simple and fun to play.
Autumn Leaves is one of the most famous Jazz Standard written by Joseph Kosma in 1945 and then played and rearranged hundreds of times by elite musicians worldwide.
A simple song for beginners
Today I am going to propose this fingerstyle acoustic guitar arrangement for beginners, which will help you improve not only your fingerstyle technique but also your musicality and dynamics.
If you want to warm up before you start to learn this song, you can check out this awesome fingerstyle warm up here!
Let’s get started and enjoy the lesson!
In this video lesson, I want to show you how you can easily simplify this beautiful song on acoustic guitar using the fingerstyle technique. If you are a beginner and want to learn how to play something really cool, make sure you watch the video lesson and learn how to play this awesome song. You can also start here if you need a few guitar tips for beginners.
Today I will tell you one thing that is going to change the way you think about learning and playing the guitar. This thing is: EVERYTHING CAN BE SIMPLIFIED.
I know it sounds pretty straightforward, right, yet many guitar players fail to understand this concept. They believe they know how to make a song simple, but practically, all they do is play the song slower. Trust me, playing a song at a slower speed doesn’t make it easier.
For me, simplifying a song means eliminating one or more musical elements so that all you are left with is one musical aspect of the song. Music is made of three elements: Harmony, rhythm, and melody. By eliminating one or two of these elements, you are not only simplifying the song, but you are also becoming aware of its structure.
Step 1 – Start with the melody.
One of the most common ways to simplify a song is by eliminating the harmony (chords) and learning the melody individually. I personally think that learning the melody as the first step will help you memorize the rhythm and chords easily. If you are a beginner, it’s probably the easiest way to get started with a song.
Autumn Leaves melody is straightforward and easy to memorize. This acoustic guitar arrangement focuses.
As you notice, the guitar tab above only shows Autumn Leaves melody played on acoustic guitar. The melody is quite “jumpy,” so I highly recommend you really learn it step by step and memorize the frets and notes to play.
One thing I would also consider is the “alternate fingering” with the right hand. Pluck the melody starting with the index finger and then always alternate between index and middle. The fingerstyle pattern will change a little when we add the bass note, but it will be easy for you to play this simple melody with alternating index and middle finger.
Step 2 – Add the bass note.
Once you practiced the melody and learn it by heart, it is time to add the bass note. The bass note will add more texture to the song and. Also, the chords will come up more clearly, and we start hearing the chord progression.
We are still only playing one single bass note per chord, but the difference is pretty clear. The acoustic guitar tab will look like that.
Autumn Leaves Chords Ed Sheeran
Now that we added the bass note, the guitar tab looks more “busy” and reach. I can guarantee you that even though we added just one bass note, the song will sound completely different.
If you are a beginner guitar player, you will probably find this stage pretty challenging, so I highly recommend you practice one note at a time and slowly familiarize yourself with the fingerstyle pattern.
As we add the bass note, your plucking will be slightly different. You have to pluck some strings with the thumb simultaneously with the melody, so a little bit of time to adjust is required. Don’t get frustrated if you struggle at the beginning. Keep pushing forward, and you will be fine!
Step 3 – Add chords
Once you really feel like adding the ultimate touch to this awesome acoustic guitar melody, you can definitely start working on chords and harmony.
Let me show you a simple way to add a few chords to Autumn Leaves.
I still want to keep things pretty simple, so I am not going crazy with chords. I will only add a few notes here and there to spice up the harmony and make it sound less basic and more advanced. Check it out!
Few words about Autumn Leaves chord progression and its structure. Like much standard Jazz, this song follows a prevalent chord progression found in hundreds of Jazz songs. It goes as follow:
Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7 – Cmaj7 – F#min7b5 – B7 – Em
Many guitar players would refer to this chord progression as II – V – I – IV – VII – V – I.
Music is numbers
The Roman numbers represent the grades that each chord represents in the G major scale (which is the scale/key of this song). Jazz musicians need to know each song’s chord progression perfectly so that when gathering together for a “Jam,” they can freely improvise and express themself.
The art of simple songs
Playing the guitar is awesome. It’s fun, creative, and “social.”
The acoustic guitar is definitely one of the most popular instruments around, and it’s amazing how you can learn songs easily if you just spend a few hours practicing.
However, playing the guitar can be frustrating and upsetting sometimes. As for everything we learn, we all come across setbacks and frustrations. The awful moment we try to become better, but for some reason, we don’t see the results.
So how can you keep going even when things get ugly and keep motivated if you are stuck in a guitar rut?
Easy! You simplify the song as we did today so that it’s easy and step by step!
You start by playing the melody and familiarizing yourself with the mood of the song. Then you add the bass note, and only at the end, you spice up everything with some beautiful chords.
The art of simplifying a song is the one important skill you want to acquire if you want to make playing guitar the most enjoyable moment of your day.
To learn this song and then apply this concept to everything you play. You will improve quickly and with joy!
Good luck with your journey, guys.