Standards
Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus) chords & key
- Key
- A minor
- Form
- AB
- Bars
- 37
- Groove
- Bossa nova
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus)” is a jazz standard by Luiz Bonfa. Most bands play it in A minor, bossa nova; the tune runs 37 bars in AB form. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences and 9 minor ii–V–i, uses 14 different chords and moves between the key centres A minor, C major and D minor. In this atlas it appears on 4 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — A minor
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Am×11
- Bm7♭5×8
- E7♭9×8
- Dm7×6
- G7×2
- Cmaj7×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
A minor, C major and D minor
Recorded on these albums
| 1962 | Big Band Bossa Nova Quincy Jones · “Carnival (Manha De Carnaval)” |
| 1963 | New Wave Dizzy Gillespie · “Morning of the Carnival (Theme From Black Orpheus)” |
| 1966 | Soul Español Oscar Peterson · “Manhã de carnaval” |
| 1972 | Jazz Number II Ray Charles · “Morning of Carnival (Manhã de carneval)” |
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Autumn Leaves 32% | G minor |
| Decision 32% | F minor |
| Serenade To A Cuckoo 32% | F minor |
| Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 31% | C minor |
| I'm A Fool To Want You 28% | E minor |
| Don't Explain 25% | D minor |
| The Kicker 25% | B♭ major |
| The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams 22% | D minor |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus) in?
Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus) is usually played in A minor. For B♭ instruments that is B minor, for E♭ instruments F♯ minor.
Who wrote Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus)?
Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus) was written by Luiz Bonfa.
What is the form of Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus)?
Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus) has 2 sections (AB) with 37 bars in total.
How fast is Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus) played?
The usual groove is Bossa nova.
What are the chord changes to Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus)?
The opening bars are Am | Bm7b5 E7b9 | Am | Bm7b5 E7b9. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.