Standards
Do You Know What It Means? chords & key
- Key
- C major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Do You Know What It Means?” is a jazz standard by Louis Alter. Most bands play it in C major, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 6 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 18 different chords and moves between the key centres C major, A♭ major and G major.
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
- Am7×8
- Cmaj7×6
- D7×5
- G7♯5×4
- Em7×4
- Dm7×4
Key centres reached by ii–V
C major, A♭ major and G major
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
Frequently asked questions
What key is Do You Know What It Means? in?
Do You Know What It Means? is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote Do You Know What It Means??
Do You Know What It Means? was written by Louis Alter.
What is the form of Do You Know What It Means??
Do You Know What It Means? has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Do You Know What It Means? played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Do You Know What It Means??
The opening bars are Cmaj7 G7#5 | Cmaj7 Am7 | Em7 Am7 | D7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.