Standards · 1949
Segment chords & key
- Key
- B♭ minor
- Form
- ABA
- Bars
- 26
- Groove
- Up-tempo swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Year
- 1949
“Segment” is a jazz standard by Charlie Parker from 1949. Most bands play it in B♭ minor, up-tempo swing; the tune runs 26 bars in ABA form. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 9 minor ii–V–i, uses 9 different chords and moves between the key centres B♭ minor and E♭ minor. In this atlas it appears in 2 transcribed solos.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ minor
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- B♭m6×10
- Cm7♭5×9
- F7♭9×9
- E♭m7×2
- Fm7♭5×1
- B♭7♭9×1
Key centres reached by ii–V
B♭ minor and E♭ minor
Transcribed solos on Segment
| Charlie Parker alto saxophone | 247 BPM |
| Steve Coleman alto saxophone | 240 BPM |
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Diverse 100% | B♭ minor |
| Catch Me 40% | D minor |
| Decision 40% | F minor |
| Birk's Works 31% | F minor |
| A Night In Tunisia 30% | D minor |
| Alone Together 29% | D minor |
| Minor Mood 26% | F minor |
| Dear Old Stockholm 25% | D minor |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Segment in?
Segment is usually played in B♭ minor. For B♭ instruments that is C minor, for E♭ instruments G minor.
Who wrote Segment?
Segment was written by Charlie Parker (1949).
What is the form of Segment?
Segment has 3 sections (ABA) with 26 bars in total.
How fast is Segment played?
The usual groove is Up-tempo swing. Transcribed solos in our data were played at 247 BPM and 240 BPM.
What are the chord changes to Segment?
The opening bars are Bbm6 | Cm7b5 F7b9 | Bbm6 | Cm7b5 F7b9. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.