Standards
Tones For Joan's Bones chords & key
- Key
- D major
- Form
- ABA
- Bars
- 44
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Tones For Joan's Bones” is a jazz standard by Chick Corea. Most bands play it in D major, medium swing; the tune runs 44 bars in ABA form. Harmonically it contains 1 major ii–V–I cadence and 1 minor ii–V–i, uses 33 different chords and moves between the key centres G♯ minor and E♭ major. In this atlas it appears on 10 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — D major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Em7×7
- Em7♭5×4
- Dmaj7×4
- Gm7/D×4
- D7♯9×4
- A♯maj7×3
Key centres reached by ii–V
G♯ minor and E♭ major
Recorded on these albums
| 1967 | Boss Horn Blue Mitchell · “Tones for Joan's Bones” |
| 1968 | Tones for Joan's Bones Chick Corea · “Tones for Joan's Bones” |
| 1969 | Now Hear This Duke Pearson · “Tones for Joan's Bones” |
| 1973 | Inner Space Chick Corea · “Tones For Joans Bones” |
| 1981 | In Concert Ahmad Jamal / Gary Burton · “Tones for Joan's Bones” |
| 1982 | Live In Concert - Cannes France '81 Feat. Gary Burton Ahmad Jamal |
| 1990 | The Only One Kenny Barron · “Tone for Joan's Bones” |
| 1996 | Number Two Express Christian McBride · “Tones for Joan's Bones” |
| 1999 | All the Things You Are Pat Metheny, Gary Burton & The Heath Brothers · “Tones for Joan's Bones” |
| 2000 | Live at Midem Ahmad Jamal & Gary Burton · “Tones for Joan's Bones” |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Tones For Joan's Bones in?
Tones For Joan's Bones is usually played in D major. For B♭ instruments that is E major, for E♭ instruments B major.
Who wrote Tones For Joan's Bones?
Tones For Joan's Bones was written by Chick Corea.
What is the form of Tones For Joan's Bones?
Tones For Joan's Bones has 3 sections (ABA) with 44 bars in total.
How fast is Tones For Joan's Bones played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Tones For Joan's Bones?
The opening bars are Em7 | Em7 | Em7 | Em7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.