ENDEIT

Standards

Jitterbug Waltz chords & key

Fats Waller

Key
E♭ major
Form
ABB
Bars
48
Groove
Jazz waltz
Time signature
3/4

“Jitterbug Waltz” is a jazz standard by Fats Waller. Most bands play it in E♭ major, jazz waltz; the tune runs 48 bars in ABB form. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 1 minor ii–V–i, uses 10 different chords. In this atlas it appears on 1 album track.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — E♭ major

A
E♭maj7
E♭maj7
E♭maj7
E♭maj7
A♭7
A♭7
A♭7
A♭7
E♭maj7
E♭maj7
E♭maj7
E♭maj7
Gm7
C7
Gm7
C7
B
F7
F7
F7
F7
A♭m7
A♭m7
D♭7♯11
D♭7♯11
F7
F7
B♭7
B♭7
1.
Gm7
C7
Fm7
B♭7
2.
E♭6
A♭7
E♭6
B♭7

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

Harmonic analysis

0Major ii–V–I
1Minor ii–V–i
6ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
3Dominant chains
10Different chords

Most used chords

  • F7×12
  • E♭maj7×8
  • B♭7×6
  • A♭7×5
  • A♭m7×4
  • D♭7♯11×4

Recorded on these albums

1971 Giants
Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Hackett, Mary Lou Williams, Grady Tate & George Duvivier

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

TitleComposerKeyFormGroove
Hackensack 24% Thelonious Monk F major AABA · 32 Medium swing
Don't Go To Strangers 21% Kent-Mason-Evans B♭ major AABA · 32 Ballad

Frequently asked questions

What key is Jitterbug Waltz in?

Jitterbug Waltz is usually played in E♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is F major, for E♭ instruments C major.

Who wrote Jitterbug Waltz?

Jitterbug Waltz was written by Fats Waller.

What is the form of Jitterbug Waltz?

Jitterbug Waltz has 3 sections (ABB) with 48 bars in total.

How fast is Jitterbug Waltz played?

The usual groove is Jazz waltz.

What are the chord changes to Jitterbug Waltz?

The opening bars are Ebmaj7 | Ebmaj7 | Ebmaj7 | Ebmaj7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.