Standards
Hello Dolly chords & key
- Key
- C major
- Form
- AB
- Bars
- 38
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Hello Dolly” is a jazz standard by Jerry Herman. Most bands play it in C major, medium swing; the tune runs 38 bars in AB form. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 22 different chords and moves between the key centres C major and F major. In this atlas it appears on 7 album tracks.
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
- G7×8
- Am×6
- C×5
- Dm7×3
- D7×3
- Dmaug×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
C major and F major
Recorded on these albums
| 1964 | Hello, Dolly! Louis Armstrong · “Hello, Dolly!” |
| 1964 | It Might as Well Be Swing Frank Sinatra, Count Basie And His Orchestra · “Hello, Dolly!” |
| 1964 | Hello, Dolly! Ella Fitzgerald · “Hello, Dolly!” |
| 1968 | Olympia - Palmarès des chansons Joséphine Baker |
| 2004 | American Music Legends Louis Armstrong |
| 2005 | Louis Armstrong - Great Moments 8 Louis Armstrong |
| 2025 | Jukebox Ella: The Complete Verve Singles, Volume 2 Ella Fitzgerald |
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Moonlight Saving Time 24% | F major |
| Slipped Disc 21% | A♭ major |
| Bewitched 20% | C major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Hello Dolly in?
Hello Dolly is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote Hello Dolly?
Hello Dolly was written by Jerry Herman.
What is the form of Hello Dolly?
Hello Dolly has 2 sections (AB) with 38 bars in total.
How fast is Hello Dolly played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Hello Dolly?
The opening bars are C | C | Am | Am. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.