Standards

Heaven chords & key

Key: B♭ major
Form: AABC
Bars: 32
Groove: Ballad
Time signature: 4/4

“Heaven” is a jazz standard by Duke Ellington. Most bands play it in B♭ major, ballad; the tune runs 32 bars in AABC form. Harmonically it contains 1 major ii–V–I cadence and 1 minor ii–V–i, uses 14 different chords and moves between the key centres E♭ major and D minor.

Chord changes

to key

Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ major

×2

B♭^maj7

G^7♭5

C^7♯11

F^7♯5

F^m7

B♭⁷

E♭^maj7

E^m7♭5

A⁷

D^m7

C⁷B⁷

B♭^maj7

G⁷

C⁷

C⁷F⁷

B♭^maj7

Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.

Harmonic analysis

1Major ii–V–I

1Minor ii–V–i

2ii–V moves

1Tritone substitutions

6Dominant chains

14Different chords

Most used chords

B♭^maj7×8
G^7♭5×4
C^7♯11×4
F^7♯5×4
C⁷×3
E♭^maj7×2

Key centres reached by ii–V

E♭ major and D minor

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

Title	Composer	Key	Form	Groove
Don't Get Around Much Anymore 31%	Duke Ellington	C major	AABA · 32	Medium swing
A Beautiful Friendship 20%	Donald Kahn	C major	AABA · 32	Medium swing
If You Ever Should Leave 20%	Cahn-Chaplin	C major	A · 24	Medium swing
In A Mellow Tone (In A Mellotone) 20%	Duke Ellington	A♭ major	ABAC · 32	Medium swing

Frequently asked questions

What key is Heaven in?

Heaven is usually played in B♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is C major, for E♭ instruments G major.

Who wrote Heaven?

Heaven was written by Duke Ellington.

What is the form of Heaven?

Heaven has 4 sections (AABC) with 32 bars in total.

How fast is Heaven played?

The usual groove is Ballad.

What are the chord changes to Heaven?

The opening bars are Bbmaj7 | Bbmaj7 | G7b5 | G7b5. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.