Standards
Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise chords & key
- Key
- C minor
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise” is a jazz standard by Sigmund Romberg. Most bands play it in C minor, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 1 major ii–V–I cadence and 11 minor ii–V–i, uses 8 different chords and moves between the key centres C minor and E♭ major. In this atlas it appears on 2 album tracks and in 2 transcribed solos.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — C minor
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Cm7×12
- Dm7♭5×12
- G7♭9×12
- Fm7×2
- E♭maj7×2
- C7♭9×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
C minor and E♭ major
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Recorded on these albums
| 1957 | New Tricks... Bing Crosby with Buddy Cole and His Trio |
| 1977 | Tony Bennett / The McPartlands And Friends Make Beautiful Music Tony Bennett · “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” |
Transcribed solos on Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
| Milt Jackson vibraphone | 137 BPM |
| David Liebman soprano saxophone | 261 BPM |
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Autumn Leaves 32% | G minor |
| Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus) 31% | A minor |
| Don't Explain 27% | D minor |
| Road Song 25% | G minor |
| Serenade To A Cuckoo 24% | F minor |
| Spiral 22% | B minor |
| Idle Moments 21% | C minor |
| Nature Boy 21% | D minor |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise in?
Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise is usually played in C minor. For B♭ instruments that is D minor, for E♭ instruments A minor.
Who wrote Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise?
Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise was written by Sigmund Romberg.
What is the form of Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise?
Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise played?
The usual groove is Medium swing. Transcribed solos in our data were played at 137 BPM and 261 BPM.
What are the chord changes to Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise?
The opening bars are Cm7 | Dm7b5 G7b9 | Cm7 | Dm7b5 G7b9. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.