Standards
Backstage Sally chords & key
- Key
- F minor
- Form
- A
- Bars
- 16
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Backstage Sally” is a jazz standard by Wayne Shorter. Most bands play it in F minor, medium swing; the tune runs 16 bars in A form. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 3 minor ii–V–i, uses 19 different chords and moves between the key centres B♭ minor, E♭ minor and F minor.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — F minor
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- A♭7×4
- G7♯5×3
- C7♯9×3
- Fm6×2
- D7♯9×2
- E♭m7×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
B♭ minor, E♭ minor and F minor
Frequently asked questions
What key is Backstage Sally in?
Backstage Sally is usually played in F minor. For B♭ instruments that is G minor, for E♭ instruments D minor.
Who wrote Backstage Sally?
Backstage Sally was written by Wayne Shorter.
What is the form of Backstage Sally?
Backstage Sally has 1 sections (A) with 16 bars in total.
How fast is Backstage Sally played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Backstage Sally?
The opening bars are Fm6 D7#9 | G7#5 C7#9 | Ebm7 Ab7 | Cm7 F7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.