Standards

Tokyo Blues chords & key

Key
C minor
Form
A
Bars
16
Groove
Medium swing
Time signature
4/4

“Tokyo Blues” is a jazz standard by Horace Silver. It is usually played in C minor as a medium swing, and the 16-bar A form repeats as one section.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — C minor

A
D♭7
D♭7
Cm7
Cm7
D♭7
D♭7
Cm7
Cm7
D♭7
D♭7
Cm7
Cm7
E♭7
D7♭13G7♭9
Cm7
Cm7

Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.

Harmonic analysis

0Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
0ii–V moves
3Tritone substitutions
1Dominant chains
5Different chords

Most used chords

  • Cm7×8
  • D♭7×6
  • E♭7×1
  • D7♭13×1
  • G7♭9×1

Frequently asked questions

What key is Tokyo Blues in?

Tokyo Blues is usually played in C minor. For B♭ instruments that is D minor, for E♭ instruments A minor.

Who wrote Tokyo Blues?

Tokyo Blues was written by Horace Silver.

What is the form of Tokyo Blues?

Tokyo Blues has 1 sections (A) with 16 bars in total.

How fast is Tokyo Blues played?

The usual groove is Medium swing.

What are the chord changes to Tokyo Blues?

The opening bars are Db7 | Db7 | Cm7 | Cm7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.