Standards
Detour Ahead chords & key
“Detour Ahead” is a jazz standard by Herb Ellis. Most bands play it in C major, ballad; the tune runs 34 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 3 major ii–V–I cadences and 2 minor ii–V–i, uses 22 different chords and moves between the key centres F major and E minor. In this atlas it appears on 1 album track.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — C major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Cmaj7×7
- Am7×6
- B7alt×5
- G7×5
- D7×4
- G♭7♭9×3
Key centres reached by ii–V
F major and E minor
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Recorded on these albums
Frequently asked questions
What key is Detour Ahead in?
Detour Ahead is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote Detour Ahead?
Detour Ahead was written by Herb Ellis.
What is the form of Detour Ahead?
Detour Ahead has 4 sections (AABA) with 34 bars in total.
How fast is Detour Ahead played?
The usual groove is Ballad.
What are the chord changes to Detour Ahead?
The opening bars are Cmaj7 Gb7b9 | B7alt | F Em7 Am7 | D7 Dm7 G7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.