Standards
Skyliner chords & key
- Key
- C major
- Form
- AAB
- Bars
- 48
- Groove
- Medium-up swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Skyliner” is a jazz standard by Charlie Barnet. Most bands play it in C major, medium-up swing; the tune runs 48 bars in AAB form. Harmonically it contains 7 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 17 different chords and moves between the key centres C major, E major, G major and D♭ major.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — C major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Dm7×9
- C6×8
- G7×6
- A7×4
- B♭7×4
- Fm7×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
C major, E major, G major and D♭ major
Historic 78 rpm recordings
- Skyliner KENNY BAKER and his All Star Orchestra · Ch. Barnet archive.org ↗
- SKYLINER GERALDO AND HIS ORCHESTRA · Barnet · Billy Moore · Junn · 1946 archive.org ↗
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| I Could Have Danced All Night 27% | C major |
| Portrait Of Jennie 26% | E♭ major |
| Get Me To The Church On Time 23% | G major |
| Dedicated To You 22% | B♭ major |
| Dream 22% | B♭ major |
| You Better Go Now 22% | E♭ major |
| If I Knew Then (What I Know Now) 21% | E♭ major |
| Take The A Train 20% | C major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Skyliner in?
Skyliner is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote Skyliner?
Skyliner was written by Charlie Barnet.
What is the form of Skyliner?
Skyliner has 3 sections (AAB) with 48 bars in total.
How fast is Skyliner played?
The usual groove is Medium-up swing.
What are the chord changes to Skyliner?
The opening bars are C6 | C6 | A7 | A7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.