ENDEIT

Standards

Mahjong chords & key

Wayne Shorter

Key
F minor
Form
ABCA
Bars
28
Groove
Latin
Time signature
4/4

“Mahjong” is a jazz standard by Wayne Shorter. It is usually played in F minor as a latin, and the 28-bar ABCA form has 4 sections. Harmonically it contains 1 major ii–V–I cadence, uses 8 different chords.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — F minor

In
×2
Fm11
E♭69
Fm11
E♭69
A
Fm11
E♭69
Fm11
E♭69
Fm11
E♭69
Fm11
E♭69
B
D♭maj9
E♭69
D♭maj9
E♭69
D♭maj9
E♭69
D♭maj9
E♭69
C
D7♯9
E♭m7A♭7
D♭maj9
D♭m7G♭7
A
Fm11
E♭69
Fm11
E♭69
Fm11
E♭69
Fm11
E♭69

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

Harmonic analysis

1Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
2ii–V moves
1Tritone substitutions
0Dominant chains
8Different chords

Most used chords

  • E♭69×16
  • Fm11×12
  • D♭maj9×5
  • D7♯9×1
  • E♭m7×1
  • A♭7×1

Frequently asked questions

What key is Mahjong in?

Mahjong is usually played in F minor. For B♭ instruments that is G minor, for E♭ instruments D minor.

Who wrote Mahjong?

Mahjong was written by Wayne Shorter.

What is the form of Mahjong?

Mahjong has 4 sections (ABCA) with 28 bars in total.

How fast is Mahjong played?

The usual groove is Latin.

What are the chord changes to Mahjong?

The opening bars are Fm11 | Eb69 | Fm11 | Eb69. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.