Standards
Making Whoopee chords & key
- Key
- G major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Making Whoopee” is a jazz standard by Walter Donaldson. Most bands play it in G major, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 5 major ii–V–I cadences and 3 minor ii–V–i, uses 17 different chords and moves between the key centres C major, A minor and G major.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — G major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- D7×9
- Am7×8
- Gmaj7×7
- F7×5
- Em7×5
- G♯dim7×3
Key centres reached by ii–V
C major, A minor and G major
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Down In The Depths 28% | G major |
| Easy Living 28% | F major |
| I Want To Be Happy 26% | C major |
| Once Upon A Summertime (La Valse Des Lilas) 26% | F minor |
| It Could Happen To You 25% | E♭ major |
| You Took Advantage Of Me 25% | E♭ major |
| Again 24% | G major |
| Blue Moon 24% | E♭ major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Making Whoopee in?
Making Whoopee is usually played in G major. For B♭ instruments that is A major, for E♭ instruments E major.
Who wrote Making Whoopee?
Making Whoopee was written by Walter Donaldson.
What is the form of Making Whoopee?
Making Whoopee has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Making Whoopee played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Making Whoopee?
The opening bars are Gmaj7 G#dim7 | Am7 D7 | Dm7 G7 | Cmaj7 F7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.