Standards

Isn't It A Pity chords & key

Key: C major
Form: AABA
Bars: 32
Groove: Ballad
Time signature: 4/4

“Isn't It A Pity” is a jazz standard by George Gershwin. Most bands play it in C major, ballad; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 10 major ii–V–I cadences and 8 minor ii–V–i, uses 20 different chords and moves between the key centres C major, E minor, D minor and F major. In this atlas it appears on 24 album tracks.

Chord changes

to key

Showing in: Concert (C) — C major

C^maj7A^m7

G♭^m7♭5B^7♭9

E^m7A⁷

D^m7G⁷

C^maj7G^m7C⁷

FE^m7D^m7G⁷

C^maj7A⁷

D^m7G⁷

C⁶

G♭^m7♭5B^7♭9♯9

E^m7D♭^7♭13

G♭^m7♭5B^7♭9

E^m7

A⁷D^7sus

G^maj7E^m7

A^m7D⁷

G^7sus

F^7♯11D♭^7♯11

C^maj7A^m7

G♭^m7♭5B^7♭9

E^m7A⁷

D^m7G⁷

C^maj7G^m7C⁷

FE^m7D^m7G⁷

C⁶

D^m7G⁷

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

Harmonic analysis

10Major ii–V–I

8Minor ii–V–i

21ii–V moves

1Tritone substitutions

2Dominant chains

20Different chords

Most used chords

E^m7×9
D^m7×8
G⁷×8
C^maj7×7
G♭^m7♭5×5
A⁷×5

Key centres reached by ii–V

C major, E minor, D minor and F major

Characteristics

AABA song form

Recorded on these albums

1957	Sarah Vaughan Sings George Gershwin Sarah Vaughan · “Isn’t It a Pity”
1959	Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book Ella Fitzgerald · “Isn’t It a Pity?”
1960	The Rhythms & Ballads Of Broadway Johnny Mathis · “Isn’t It a Pity”
1961	The Ballads of Broadway Johnny Mathis · “Isn’t It a Pity”
1975	Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers Zoot Sims · “Isn't It a Pity”
1978	The George And Ira Gershwin Songbook Ella Fitzgerald · “Isn't It a Pity?”
1987	Piano Music / Songs George Gershwin; William Bolcom, Joan Morris · “Isn't It a Pity?”
1987	Pure Gershwin Michael Feinstein · “Isn't It a Pity?”
1987	Ruby and Gene Play George and Ira Gershwin Ruby Braff, Gene DiNovi · “Isn't It a Pity”
1990	The George Gershwin Songbook, Volume 2 Sarah Vaughan · “Isn’t It a Pity”
1992	Live in Japan George Harrison with Eric Clapton and Band · “Isn't It a Pity”
1992	Nothing Without You Cleo Laine and Mel Tormé · “Isn’t It a Pity”
1992	Mel Tormé and Friends: Recorded Live at Marty’s, New York City Mel Tormé · “Isn’t It a Pity”
1992	Here’s to Life Shirley Horn · “Isn’t It a Pity?”
1994	Lady Be Good ... for Ella Tommy Flanagan · “Isn’t It a Pity?”
1998	George & Ira Gershwin: Standards & Gems George Gershwin · “Isn't It a Pity?”
1998	We Got Rhythm: A Gershwin Songbook André Previn, David Finck · “Isn't It a Pity”
1998	Chasin’ the Bird Helen Merrill · “Isn’t It a Pity”
1999	A Love Like Ours Barbra Streisand · “Isn’t It a Pity?”
2001	Dreamsville Stacey Kent · “Isn't It a Pity”
2005	Solo Piano “Sir” Roland Hanna · “Isn't It a Pity”
2006	Champagne Sylvia Vrethammar · “Isn't It a Pity”
2007	Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 Eric Clapton · “Isn’t It a Pity”
2011	Solo Piano “Sir” Roland Hanna · “Isn't It a Pity”

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

Title	Composer	Key	Form	Groove
Rockin' Chair 36%	Hoagy Carmichael	E♭ major	ABA · 32	Medium swing
This Is All I Ask 32%	Gordon Jenkins	F major	ABAC · 32	Ballad
These Foolish Things 30%	Strachey-Link	E♭ major	AABA · 32	Ballad
Jeepers Creepers 27%	Harry Warren	B♭ major	AABA · 34	Medium swing
I'm An Old Cowhand 26%	Johnny Mercer	E♭ major	A · 18	Medium swing
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You 26%	George Bassman	F major	AABA · 36	Medium swing
The Masquerade Is Over 26%	Allie Wrubel	E♭ major	AAB · 44	Ballad
Del Sasser 25%	Sam Jones	E♭ major	AAB · 48	Medium-up swing

Frequently asked questions

What key is Isn't It A Pity in?

Isn't It A Pity is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.

Who wrote Isn't It A Pity?

Isn't It A Pity was written by George Gershwin.

What is the form of Isn't It A Pity?

Isn't It A Pity has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.

How fast is Isn't It A Pity played?

The usual groove is Ballad.

What are the chord changes to Isn't It A Pity?

The opening bars are Cmaj7 Am7 | Gbm7b5 B7b9 | Em7 A7 | Dm7 G7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.