Standards

One By One chords & key

Key
G minor
Form
AABA
Bars
32
Groove
Medium-up swing
Time signature
4/4

“One By One” is a jazz standard by Wayne Shorter. Most bands play it in G minor, medium-up swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 3 major ii–V–I cadences and 4 minor ii–V–i, uses 16 different chords and moves between the key centres G minor, B♭ major and D minor.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — G minor

In
×2
B♭maj7
B♭maj7
B♭maj7
B♭maj7
A
×2
Am7♭5D7♭13
Gm7Fm7B♭7
Cm7F7
B♭maj7
A7♯9A♭7
Gm7B♭7/F
Em7♭5D7♭13
Gm7
B
E7♯9A7♯9
Dm7Bm7♭5
Em7♭5A7♭9
Dm7B♭7
A7♯9A♭7
Gm7B♭7/F
Em7♭5D7♭13
Gm7
A
Am7♭5D7♭13
Gm7Fm7B♭7
Cm7F7
B♭maj7
A7♯9A♭7
Gm7B♭7/F
Em7♭5D7♭13
Gm7

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

Harmonic analysis

3Major ii–V–I
4Minor ii–V–i
10ii–V moves
4Tritone substitutions
1Dominant chains
16Different chords

Most used chords

  • B♭maj7×11
  • Gm7×11
  • D7♭13×7
  • A7♯9×5
  • Em7♭5×5
  • B♭7×4

Key centres reached by ii–V

G minor, B♭ major and D minor

Characteristics

  • AABA song form

Frequently asked questions

What key is One By One in?

One By One is usually played in G minor. For B♭ instruments that is A minor, for E♭ instruments E minor.

Who wrote One By One?

One By One was written by Wayne Shorter.

What is the form of One By One?

One By One has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.

How fast is One By One played?

The usual groove is Medium-up swing.

What are the chord changes to One By One?

The opening bars are Bbmaj7 | Bbmaj7 | Bbmaj7 | Bbmaj7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.