Standards
Be-Bop chords & key
- Key
- F minor
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Up-tempo swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Be-Bop” is a jazz standard by Dizzy Gillespie. Most bands play it in F minor, up-tempo swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences and 7 minor ii–V–i, uses 13 different chords and moves between the key centres F minor, E♭ major and D♭ major. In this atlas it appears in 2 transcribed solos.
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
- Gm7♭5×13
- Fm×9
- Fm/A♭×6
- B♭m6×6
- Fm/C×6
- C7♭9×4
Key centres reached by ii–V
F minor, E♭ major and D♭ major
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Transcribed solos on Be-Bop
| Dizzy Gillespie trumpet | 290 BPM |
| Don Byas tenor saxophone | 289 BPM |
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| How High The Moon 38% | G major |
| Bernie's Tune 26% | D minor |
| Nature Boy 24% | D minor |
| Satellite 24% | G major |
| Yesterdays 23% | D minor |
| Bohemia After Dark 22% | G minor |
| Serenade To A Cuckoo 20% | F minor |
| Sunshower 20% | A minor |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Be-Bop in?
Be-Bop is usually played in F minor. For B♭ instruments that is G minor, for E♭ instruments D minor.
Who wrote Be-Bop?
Be-Bop was written by Dizzy Gillespie.
What is the form of Be-Bop?
Be-Bop has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Be-Bop played?
The usual groove is Up-tempo swing. Transcribed solos in our data were played at 290 BPM and 289 BPM.
What are the chord changes to Be-Bop?
The opening bars are Fm Gm7b5 | Fm/Ab Bbm6 | Fm/C | Gm7b5 C7b9. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.