Standards
Thelonious chords & key
- Key
- B♭ major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 36
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Thelonious” is a jazz standard by Thelonious Monk. It is usually played in B♭ major as a medium swing, and the 36-bar AABA form has 4 sections. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 20 different chords.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ major
A
1.
2.
B
A
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
2Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
3ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
8Dominant chains
20Different chords
Most used chords
- F7sus×7
- G♭7×6
- E♭7×6
- F7×5
- A♭7×4
- D7♯5×4
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Frequently asked questions
What key is Thelonious in?
Thelonious is usually played in B♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is C major, for E♭ instruments G major.
Who wrote Thelonious?
Thelonious was written by Thelonious Monk.
What is the form of Thelonious?
Thelonious has 4 sections (AABA) with 36 bars in total.
How fast is Thelonious played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Thelonious?
The opening bars are Bb Ab7 | Gb7 F7sus | E7b5 Eb7 | D7#5 Db7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.