Standards
Grand Central chords & key
- Key
- B♭ minor
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 36
- Groove
- Up-tempo swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Grand Central” is a jazz standard by John Coltrane. It is usually played in B♭ minor as a up-tempo swing, and the 36-bar AABA form has 4 sections. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 6 minor ii–V–i, uses 11 different chords and moves between the key centres G♯ minor and F♯ minor.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ minor
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- B♭m7×14
- G♭m7×9
- B7×9
- B7♯11×6
- Fm7×3
- E♭7×3
Key centres reached by ii–V
G♯ minor and F♯ minor
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Frequently asked questions
What key is Grand Central in?
Grand Central is usually played in B♭ minor. For B♭ instruments that is C minor, for E♭ instruments G minor.
Who wrote Grand Central?
Grand Central was written by John Coltrane.
What is the form of Grand Central?
Grand Central has 4 sections (AABA) with 36 bars in total.
How fast is Grand Central played?
The usual groove is Up-tempo swing.
What are the chord changes to Grand Central?
The opening bars are Fm7 | Bbm7 Eb7 | Abm7 Db7 | Gbm7 B7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.