Standards
Forever Sonny chords & key
- Key
- B♭ major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Bossa nova
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Forever Sonny” is a jazz standard by Jimmy Heath. Most bands play it in B♭ major, bossa nova; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 13 different chords. The bridge uses the cycle of dominants known from Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” — so-called rhythm changes.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Gm7×7
- E♭7×6
- Cm7×6
- D7♯9×5
- Dm7×4
- F7×4
Characteristics
- Rhythm changes
- AABA song form
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Thriving From A Riff 28% | B♭ major |
| Anthropology 27% | B♭ major |
| Moose The Mooche 27% | B♭ major |
| No Moe 27% | B♭ major |
| Oleo 27% | B♭ major |
| Passport 27% | B♭ major |
| Salt Peanuts 27% | B♭ major |
| Shaw 'Nuff 27% | B♭ major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Forever Sonny in?
Forever Sonny is usually played in B♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is C major, for E♭ instruments G major.
Who wrote Forever Sonny?
Forever Sonny was written by Jimmy Heath.
What is the form of Forever Sonny?
Forever Sonny has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Forever Sonny played?
The usual groove is Bossa nova.
What are the chord changes to Forever Sonny?
The opening bars are Gm7 | Em7b5 Eb7 | Dm7 Gm7 | Cm7 F7#5. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.