Standards
The Gentle Rain chords & key
- Key
- A minor
- Form
- AA
- Bars
- 38
- Groove
- Bossa nova
- Time signature
- 4/4
“The Gentle Rain” is a jazz standard by Luiz Bonfa. It is usually played in A minor as a bossa nova, and the 38-bar AA form has 2 sections. Harmonically it contains 1 major ii–V–I cadence and 7 minor ii–V–i, uses 17 different chords and moves between the key centres E minor, D minor, A minor, G minor and F major. In this atlas it appears on 3 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — A minor
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Am6×6
- C7×6
- F6×6
- E7♭9/A♭×4
- D7×3
- Gm6×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
E minor, D minor, A minor, G minor and F major
Recorded on these albums
| 1966 | Movie Song Album Tony Bennett |
| 1971 | Love Story Tony Bennett |
| 2009 | Love Is the Answer Barbra Streisand · “Gentle Rain” |
Frequently asked questions
What key is The Gentle Rain in?
The Gentle Rain is usually played in A minor. For B♭ instruments that is B minor, for E♭ instruments F♯ minor.
Who wrote The Gentle Rain?
The Gentle Rain was written by Luiz Bonfa.
What is the form of The Gentle Rain?
The Gentle Rain has 2 sections (AA) with 38 bars in total.
How fast is The Gentle Rain played?
The usual groove is Bossa nova.
What are the chord changes to The Gentle Rain?
The opening bars are Am6 | Am6 | E7b9/Ab | E7b9/Ab. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.