ENDEIT

Standards

Ma Belle Hélène chords & key

Kenny Wheeler

Key
C major
Form
A
Bars
48
Groove
Medium-up swing
Time signature
4/4

“Ma Belle Hélène” is a jazz standard by Kenny Wheeler. Most bands play it in C major, medium-up swing; the tune runs 48 bars in A form.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — C major

·
A♭/G
A♭/G
E/G♭
E/G♭
C/F
C/F
A♭/B♭
A♭/B♭
G/E♭
G/E♭
E♭/D
E♭/D
B/D♭
B/D♭
G/G♭
G/G♭
G♭/B
B♭/B
D/A♭
C/A♭
G♭/A♭
G♭/A♭
G♭/A♭
G♭/A♭
A
A/A♭
A/A♭
F/G
F/G
D♭/G♭
D♭/G♭
A/B
A/B
A♭/E
A♭/E
E/E♭
E/E♭
C/D
C/D
A♭/G
A♭/G
G/C
B/C
E♭/A
D♭/A
G/A
B♭/A
Dm11
Dm11

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

Harmonic analysis

0Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
0ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
0Dominant chains
27Different chords

Most used chords

  • A♭/G×4
  • G♭/A♭×4
  • E/G♭×2
  • C/F×2
  • A♭/B♭×2
  • G/E♭×2

Frequently asked questions

What key is Ma Belle Hélène in?

Ma Belle Hélène is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.

Who wrote Ma Belle Hélène?

Ma Belle Hélène was written by Kenny Wheeler.

What is the form of Ma Belle Hélène?

Ma Belle Hélène has 1 sections (A) with 48 bars in total.

How fast is Ma Belle Hélène played?

The usual groove is Medium-up swing.

What are the chord changes to Ma Belle Hélène?

The opening bars are Ab/G | Ab/G | E/Gb | E/Gb. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.