Standards

Boo Boo's Birthday chords & key

Key: C major
Form: AAB
Bars: 21
Groove: Medium swing
Time signature: 4/4

“Boo Boo's Birthday” is a jazz standard by Thelonious Monk. It is usually played in C major as a medium swing, and the 21-bar AAB form has 3 sections.

Chord changes

to key

Showing in: Concert (C) — C major

×2

C^maj7

B⁷

E^7♭9

F^7♯11E^7♯11

E♭^7♯11D^7♯11

D♭^maj7♯11

D♭⁷

G^m7

D♭⁷G♭⁷

F^maj7

C^maj7

F^maj7♯11C^maj7

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

Harmonic analysis

0Major ii–V–I

0Minor ii–V–i

0ii–V moves

4Tritone substitutions

3Dominant chains

13Different chords

Most used chords

C^maj7×4
E^7♭9×4
D♭⁷×3
B⁷×2
F^7♯11×2
E^7♯11×2

Frequently asked questions

What key is Boo Boo's Birthday in?

Boo Boo's Birthday is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.

Who wrote Boo Boo's Birthday?

Boo Boo's Birthday was written by Thelonious Monk.

What is the form of Boo Boo's Birthday?

Boo Boo's Birthday has 3 sections (AAB) with 21 bars in total.

How fast is Boo Boo's Birthday played?

The usual groove is Medium swing.

What are the chord changes to Boo Boo's Birthday?

The opening bars are Cmaj7 | B7 | E7b9 | E7b9. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.