Standards

Little B's Poem chords & key

Key
F minor
Form
A
Bars
16
Groove
Jazz waltz
Time signature
3/4

“Little B's Poem” is a jazz standard by Bobby Hutcherson. It is usually played in F minor as a jazz waltz, and the 16-bar A form repeats as one section. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 16 different chords and moves between the key centres E major and E♭ major.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — F minor

A
G♭maj7♯11
Fm7
G♭maj7♯11
Fm7
E♭m7
D♭maj7
E♭m7
C7♭9
Fm7
G♭m7B7
Emaj7
Fm7B♭7
E♭maj7
D♭7♯11
C7C7/DC7/E
Fm7Fm/GFm/A♭

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

Harmonic analysis

2Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
2ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
0Dominant chains
16Different chords

Most used chords

  • Fm7×5
  • G♭maj7♯11×2
  • E♭m7×2
  • D♭maj7×1
  • C7♭9×1
  • G♭m7×1

Key centres reached by ii–V

E major and E♭ major

Frequently asked questions

What key is Little B's Poem in?

Little B's Poem is usually played in F minor. For B♭ instruments that is G minor, for E♭ instruments D minor.

Who wrote Little B's Poem?

Little B's Poem was written by Bobby Hutcherson.

What is the form of Little B's Poem?

Little B's Poem has 1 sections (A) with 16 bars in total.

How fast is Little B's Poem played?

The usual groove is Jazz waltz.

What are the chord changes to Little B's Poem?

The opening bars are Gbmaj7#11 | Fm7 | Gbmaj7#11 | Fm7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.