Standards

Celia chords & key

Key
B♭ major
Form
AABAC
Bars
40
Groove
Up-tempo swing
Time signature
4/4

“Celia” is a jazz standard by Bud Powell. It is usually played in B♭ major as a up-tempo swing, and the 40-bar AABAC form has 5 sections. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 4 minor ii–V–i, uses 16 different chords and moves between the key centres B♭ minor, G minor and C minor.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ major

In
×2
B♭maj7
B7
B♭maj7
B7
A
B♭maj7
Cm7♭5
Dm7
E♭m7A♭7
Dm7D♭m7
Cm7B7
1.
B♭maj7
Cm7♭5F7
2.
B♭maj7
B♭maj7
B
Am7♭5
D7♭9
Gm7
Gm7
C7
C7
Cm7♭5
F7♭5
A
B♭maj7
Cm7♭5
Dm7
E♭m7A♭7
Dm7D♭m7
Cm7B7
B♭maj7
B♭maj7
C
E♭6
E♭m7A♭7
Dm7
G7
Cm7
B7
B♭maj7
Cm7F7

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

Harmonic analysis

0Major ii–V–I
4Minor ii–V–i
10ii–V moves
8Tritone substitutions
0Dominant chains
16Different chords

Most used chords

  • B♭maj7×13
  • B7×8
  • Dm7×7
  • Cm7♭5×5
  • Cm7×5
  • E♭m7×4

Key centres reached by ii–V

B♭ minor, G minor and C minor

Frequently asked questions

What key is Celia in?

Celia is usually played in B♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is C major, for E♭ instruments G major.

Who wrote Celia?

Celia was written by Bud Powell.

What is the form of Celia?

Celia has 5 sections (AABAC) with 40 bars in total.

How fast is Celia played?

The usual groove is Up-tempo swing.

What are the chord changes to Celia?

The opening bars are Bbmaj7 | B7 | Bbmaj7 | B7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.