Standards
Better Days Ahead chords & key
“Better Days Ahead” is a jazz standard by Pat Metheny. It is usually played in C major as a samba, and the 35-bar ABCD form has 4 sections. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences and 2 minor ii–V–i, uses 30 different chords and moves between the key centres F♯ major, E♭ minor and G♯ minor.
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
- G♭maj7×7
- Dmaj7/G♭×7
- E/G♭×5
- A♭m7×5
- D♭7♭9×5
- E♭m7×4
Key centres reached by ii–V
F♯ major, E♭ minor and G♯ minor
Frequently asked questions
What key is Better Days Ahead in?
Better Days Ahead is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote Better Days Ahead?
Better Days Ahead was written by Pat Metheny.
What is the form of Better Days Ahead?
Better Days Ahead has 4 sections (ABCD) with 35 bars in total.
How fast is Better Days Ahead played?
The usual groove is Samba.
What are the chord changes to Better Days Ahead?
The opening bars are E/Gb B69 | G/A | Dmaj9 Ab9#11 | Gmaj7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.