Standards
Incentive chords & key
- Key
- A♭ major
- Form
- AA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Up-tempo swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Incentive” is a jazz standard by Horace Silver. Most bands play it in A♭ major, up-tempo swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AA form. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences and 5 minor ii–V–i, uses 26 different chords and moves between the key centres B♭ minor, C minor and C major.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — A♭ major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- G13♭9×3
- Am7×3
- Dm7♭5×2
- Cm7♭5×2
- F13♭9×2
- B♭m7♭5×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
B♭ minor, C minor and C major
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| The Touch Of Your Lips 21% | C major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Incentive in?
Incentive is usually played in A♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is B♭ major, for E♭ instruments F major.
Who wrote Incentive?
Incentive was written by Horace Silver.
What is the form of Incentive?
Incentive has 2 sections (AA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Incentive played?
The usual groove is Up-tempo swing.
What are the chord changes to Incentive?
The opening bars are Dm7b5 | G13b9 | Cm7b5 | F13b9. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.