Standards
Airmail Special chords & key
- Key
- C major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium-up swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Airmail Special” is a jazz standard by Charlie Christian. Most bands play it in C major, medium-up swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 3 major ii–V–I cadences and 3 minor ii–V–i, uses 16 different chords and moves between the key centres D minor and C major. In this atlas it appears on 1 album track.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — C major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- G7×7
- Dm7×6
- C×6
- Cdim7×5
- C6×3
- Am7×3
Key centres reached by ii–V
D minor and C major
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Recorded on these albums
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Cotton Tail 50% | B♭ major |
| Big Nick 43% | G major |
| My Heart Stood Still 37% | F major |
| The Rainbow Connection 33% | G major |
| Bewitched 32% | C major |
| Flat Foot Floogee 31% | F major |
| Don't Be That Way 30% | D♭ major |
| Without A Song 28% | E♭ major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Airmail Special in?
Airmail Special is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote Airmail Special?
Airmail Special was written by Charlie Christian.
What is the form of Airmail Special?
Airmail Special has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Airmail Special played?
The usual groove is Medium-up swing.
What are the chord changes to Airmail Special?
The opening bars are C6 Am7 | Dm7 G7 | Em7 A7 | Dm7 G7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.