Standards
The Joker chords & key
- Key
- E♭ major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“The Joker” is a jazz standard by Lee Morgan. Most bands play it in E♭ major, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 8 major ii–V–I cadences and 4 minor ii–V–i, uses 12 different chords and moves between the key centres F minor, A♭ major and E♭ major.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — E♭ major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Fm7×10
- B♭7×10
- E♭6×5
- A♭maj7×5
- C7♯9×4
- Gm7×4
Key centres reached by ii–V
F minor, A♭ major and E♭ major
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Dexterity 58% | B♭ major |
| September In The Rain 56% | E♭ major |
| It's Easy To Remember 44% | E♭ major |
| On The Sunny Side Of The Street 43% | C major |
| I May Be Wrong 41% | E♭ major |
| Sometimes I'm Happy 41% | F major |
| Eclypso 39% | E♭ major |
| The Lady is a Tramp 38% | C major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is The Joker in?
The Joker is usually played in E♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is F major, for E♭ instruments C major.
Who wrote The Joker?
The Joker was written by Lee Morgan.
What is the form of The Joker?
The Joker has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is The Joker played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to The Joker?
The opening bars are Eb6 C7#9 | Fm7 Bb7 | Gm7 C7 | Fm7 Bb7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.