Standards
The Balance chords & key
- Key
- G minor
- Form
- A
- Bars
- 8
- Groove
- Even sixteenths
- Time signature
- 5/4
“The Balance” is a jazz standard by Dave Holland. It is usually played in G minor as a even sixteenths, and the 8-bar A form repeats as one section. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 1 minor ii–V–i, uses 9 different chords. In this atlas it appears on 11 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — G minor
A
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
0Major ii–V–I
1Minor ii–V–i
2ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
0Dominant chains
9Different chords
Most used chords
- Fm7×3
- Gm7×2
- Em11×2
- Dm11×2
- D♭maj7♯11×2
- Am7♭5×1
Recorded on these albums
| 1973 | Izipho Zam (My Gifts) Pharoah Sanders · “Balance” |
| 1981 | Speechless Fred Frith · “Balance” |
| 1983 | Félin Guem · “Balance” |
| 1996 | Aquarius Stéphane Grappelli · “Balance” |
| 2000 | Beyond Joshua Redman · “Balance” |
| 2000 | Acuarela de Tambores Alex Acuña · “Balance” |
| 2002 | Kissed by Nature Eliane Elias · “Balancê” |
| 2003 | Grappelli Plays Grappelli Stéphane Grappelli · “Balance” |
| 2013 | Mukashi: Once Upon a Time Abdullah Ibrahim |
| 2019 | Dream Time Abdullah Ibrahim |
| 2019 | The Balance Abdullah Ibrahim aka Dollar Brand with Ekaya |
Frequently asked questions
What key is The Balance in?
The Balance is usually played in G minor. For B♭ instruments that is A minor, for E♭ instruments E minor.
Who wrote The Balance?
The Balance was written by Dave Holland.
What is the form of The Balance?
The Balance has 1 sections (A) with 8 bars in total.
How fast is The Balance played?
The usual groove is Even sixteenths.
What are the chord changes to The Balance?
The opening bars are Gm7 | Em11 Fm7 | Gm7 | Em11 Fm7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.