Standards
Criss Cross chords & key
- Key
- G minor
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 30
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Criss Cross” is a jazz standard by Thelonious Monk. Most bands play it in G minor, medium swing; the tune runs 30 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 9 different chords. In this atlas it appears on 15 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — G minor
A
×2B
A
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
2Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
5ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
0Dominant chains
9Different chords
Most used chords
- Gm6×6
- G♭13×6
- G♭7♯9×3
- B♭13×3
- Dm7×3
- G7♯11×3
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Recorded on these albums
| 1952 | Wizard of the Vibes Milt Jackson |
| 1956 | Jazz - U.S.A. Sonny Criss |
| 1960 | The Straight Horn of Steve Lacy Steve Lacy |
| 1963 | Criss-Cross Thelonious Monk · “Criss-Cross” |
| 1972 | Something in Blue Thelonious Monk |
| 1987 | 1.2.3.4. Didier Lockwood |
| 1994 | Four in One Sonny Fortune |
| 1996 | Esbjörn Svensson Trio Plays Monk Esbjörn Svensson Trio |
| 2002 | At Newport 1963 & 1965 Thelonious Monk |
| 2007 | Back To Stage (Promo) 박진영 · “엇갈렸어 Criss Cross” |
| 2012 | Monk Jimmy Cobb & Randy Brecker |
| 2012 | Duende Avishai Cohen with Nitai Hershkovits |
| 2017 | Backlog Steve Khan · “Criss Cross (Entrecruzado)” |
| 2020 | Palais des Beaux-Arts 1963 Thelonious Monk · “Criss-Cross” |
| 2025 | Bremen 1965 Thelonious Monk |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Criss Cross in?
Criss Cross is usually played in G minor. For B♭ instruments that is A minor, for E♭ instruments E minor.
Who wrote Criss Cross?
Criss Cross was written by Thelonious Monk.
What is the form of Criss Cross?
Criss Cross has 4 sections (AABA) with 30 bars in total.
How fast is Criss Cross played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Criss Cross?
The opening bars are Gm6 | Gm6 | Gb7#9 | Bb13. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.