Standards
Crisis chords & key
- Key
- B major
- Form
- AABAA
- Bars
- 44
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Crisis” is a jazz standard by Freddie Hubbard. Most bands play it in B major, medium swing; the tune runs 44 bars in AABAA form. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 3 minor ii–V–i, uses 17 different chords and moves between the key centres B minor and A minor.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — B major
In
×2A
1.
2.
B
A
×2Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
0Major ii–V–I
3Minor ii–V–i
5ii–V moves
3Tritone substitutions
1Dominant chains
17Different chords
Most used chords
- B7sus×12
- F♯7♯9×9
- Bm×7
- C♯7/B×4
- Cmaj7/B×4
- B7×4
Key centres reached by ii–V
B minor and A minor
Frequently asked questions
What key is Crisis in?
Crisis is usually played in B major. For B♭ instruments that is D♭ major, for E♭ instruments A♭ major.
Who wrote Crisis?
Crisis was written by Freddie Hubbard.
What is the form of Crisis?
Crisis has 5 sections (AABAA) with 44 bars in total.
How fast is Crisis played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Crisis?
The opening bars are B7sus | B7sus | B7sus | B7sus. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.