Standards

Beyond The Sea chords & key

Key
F major
Form
AABA
Bars
48
Groove
Medium swing
Time signature
4/4

“Beyond The Sea” is a jazz standard by Charles Trenet. Most bands play it in F major, medium swing; the tune runs 48 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 14 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 16 different chords and moves between the key centres F major, C major and A major.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — F major

A
F6Dm7
Gm7C7
F6Dm7
Gm7C7
F6A7
Dm7C7
F6Dm7
B♭6D7/A
Gm7C7
Dm7B♭maj7
1.
G7
C7
2.
Gm7C7
F6E7
B
A6G♭m7
Bm7E7
A6G♭m7
Bm7E7
A6
Dm7G7
C6Am7
Dm7G7
C6Am7
Dm7G7
C6
Gm7C7
A
F6Dm7
Gm7C7
F6Dm7
Gm7C7
F6A7
Dm7C7
F6Dm7
B♭6D7/A
Gm7C7
Dm7B♭7
Gm7C7
F6

Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.

Harmonic analysis

14Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
17ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
1Dominant chains
16Different chords

Most used chords

  • Dm7×18
  • C7×16
  • F6×14
  • Gm7×12
  • G7×4
  • A7×3

Key centres reached by ii–V

F major, C major and A major

Characteristics

  • AABA song form

Frequently asked questions

What key is Beyond The Sea in?

Beyond The Sea is usually played in F major. For B♭ instruments that is G major, for E♭ instruments D major.

Who wrote Beyond The Sea?

Beyond The Sea was written by Charles Trenet.

What is the form of Beyond The Sea?

Beyond The Sea has 4 sections (AABA) with 48 bars in total.

How fast is Beyond The Sea played?

The usual groove is Medium swing.

What are the chord changes to Beyond The Sea?

The opening bars are F6 Dm7 | Gm7 C7 | F6 Dm7 | Gm7 C7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.