Standards
James chords & key
- Key
- D major
- Form
- ABBA
- Bars
- 54
- Groove
- Bossa nova
- Time signature
- 4/4
“James” is a jazz standard by Pat Metheny. It is usually played in D major as a bossa nova, and the 54-bar ABBA form has 4 sections. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 3 minor ii–V–i, uses 32 different chords.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — D major
A
B
1.
2.
A
·
·
×2⊕
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
0Major ii–V–I
3Minor ii–V–i
3ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
1Dominant chains
32Different chords
Most used chords
- Gmaj7×22
- F♯m7×12
- Bm7×9
- G×8
- A×7
- G/A×7
Frequently asked questions
What key is James in?
James is usually played in D major. For B♭ instruments that is E major, for E♭ instruments B major.
Who wrote James?
James was written by Pat Metheny.
What is the form of James?
James has 4 sections (ABBA) with 54 bars in total.
How fast is James played?
The usual groove is Bossa nova.
What are the chord changes to James?
The opening bars are D#6 B/D# | G/D A/C# | C6 Cdim7 | G/B Gm/A#. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.