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 24 album tracks.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — A minor

A
Am
Bm7♭5E7♭9
Am
Bm7♭5E7♭9
Am
Dm7G7
Cmaj7
A7♭9
Dm7
G7
Cmaj7
Fmaj7
Bm7♭5
E7♭9
Am
Bm7♭5E7♭9
B
Am
Bm7♭5E7♭9
Am
Am
Em7♭5
A7♭9
Dm
Dm
Dm7Dm7/C
Bm7♭5E7♭9
AmAm7/G
Fmaj7
Bm7♭5
E7♭9
Am
Bm7♭5E7♭9
·
Am
Dm7Am7
Dm7Am7
Dm7Em7
Am

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

Harmonic analysis

2Major ii–V–I
9Minor ii–V–i
11ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
0Dominant chains
14Different chords

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

1959 Black Orpheus
Antonio Carlos Jobim & Luiz Bonfá · “Manhã de Carnaval (Morning of the Carnival)”
1959 Maysa é Maysa... é Maysa, é Maysa
Maysa e Orquestra RGE · “Manhã de carnaval”
1961 U.S.A.
Sylvia Telles · “Manhã de carnaval”
1962 Big Band Bossa Nova
Quincy Jones · “Carnival (Manha De Carnaval)”
1962 Big Band Bossa Nova
Stan Getz · “Manhã de Carnaval”
1962 Wayning Moments
Wayne Shorter · “Black Orpheus”
1962 Bossa Nova
George Shearing · “Manha De Carnaval (Morning Of The Carnival)”
1963 New Wave
Dizzy Gillespie · “Morning of the Carnival (Theme From Black Orpheus)”
1963 Night Lights
Gerry Mulligan · “Morning of the Carnival From " Black Orpheus "”
1963 The Body & The Soul
Freddie Hubbard · “Carnival (Manha de carnaval)”
1963 Take Ten
Paul Desmond · “Theme From "Black Orpheus"”
1963 Soña Libré
Cal Tjader · “Morning of the Carnival”
1965 The Voice and Guitar of José Feliciano
José Feliciano · “Manha de Carnaval”
1965 The Shadow of Your Smile
Astrud Gilberto · “Manha de Carnaval”
1965 Gettin’ Around
Dexter Gordon · “Manha de Carnaval”
1965 Olé
Johnny Mathis · “Manhã de Carnaval (Morning of the Carnival)”
1965 La Bamba
Mongo Santamaría · “Manha de carnaval (Morning of the Carnival)”
1965 The New Sound of Brazil
João Donato · “Manhã de Carnaval”
1965 From The Wrists Down
Buddy Greco · “Manha De Carnaval (Carnival)”
1965 Inventions
Sandy Bull · “Manha de Carnival”
1966 Soul Español
Oscar Peterson · “Manhã de carnaval”
1966 Lightly Latin
Perry Como · “Manhã de carnaval”
1966 Mambo con conga is Mozambique
Eddie Palmieri · “Manhã de carnaval”
1966 Tristeza on Guitar
Baden Powell · “Manhã de carnaval”

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

TitleComposerKeyFormGroove
Autumn Leaves 32% Joseph Kosma G minor AABC · 32 Medium swing
Decision 32% Sonny Rollins F minor A · 13 Medium swing
Serenade To A Cuckoo 32% Roland Kirk F minor AB · 16 Medium swing
Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 31% Sigmund Romberg C minor AABA · 32 Medium swing
I'm A Fool To Want You 28% Herron-Sinatra-Wolf E minor AABA · 40 Ballad
Don't Explain 25% Billie Holiday D minor AABA · 32 Ballad
The Kicker 25% Joe Henderson B♭ major A · 12 Up-tempo swing
The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams 22% Dubin-Warren D minor AABA · 32 Ballad

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.