Standards
I Could Write A Book chords & key
- Key
- C major
- Form
- ABAC
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“I Could Write A Book” is a jazz standard by Richard Rodgers. Most bands play it in C major, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in ABAC form. Harmonically it contains 6 major ii–V–I cadences and 7 minor ii–V–i, uses 18 different chords and moves between the key centres C major, D minor, A minor, E minor and F minor. In this atlas it appears on 24 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
- Dm7×11
- G7×8
- Am7×7
- Cmaj7×6
- Em7×4
- A7♯9×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
C major, D minor, A minor, E minor and F minor
Characteristics
- ABAC song form
Recorded on these albums
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Too Young To Go Steady 34% | F major |
| In Love In Vain 33% | B♭ major |
| Deed I Do 32% | C major |
| The Masquerade Is Over 31% | E♭ major |
| The Lady is a Tramp 30% | C major |
| What A Little Moonlight Can Do 29% | G major |
| Why Do I Love You? 29% | A♭ major |
| Days Of Wine And Roses 28% | F major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is I Could Write A Book in?
I Could Write A Book is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote I Could Write A Book?
I Could Write A Book was written by Richard Rodgers.
What is the form of I Could Write A Book?
I Could Write A Book has 4 sections (ABAC) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is I Could Write A Book played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to I Could Write A Book?
The opening bars are Cmaj7 Am7 | Dm7 G7 | Cmaj7 Am7 | Dm7 G7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.