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.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — D major

In
Em7
Em7
Em7
Em7
Em7♭5
Em7♭5
Em7♭5
Em7♭5D♯7
A
Dmaj7
Dmaj7
Gm7/D
Gm7/D
D7♯9
D7♯9F7♭9
A♯maj7G♯m7
F♯maj7F7
A♯m7♭5
A♯m7♭5
D♯7♯9
D♯7♯9
G♯m7
G♯m7/F♯
Fm7♭5
Emaj7♯11
B
D♯maj7
F♯maj7
Fmaj7
G♯maj7
Cmaj7
D♯maj7
C♯mmaj7
C♯mmaj7A7♭9
A
Dmaj7
Dmaj7
Gm7/D
Gm7/D
D7♯9
D7♯9F7♭9
A♯maj7
A♯maj7
Em7
A7A♯dim7
Bm7
E7
Em7F♯m7
Fm7A♯7
D♯maj7Dm7
Cm7F7
Em7F♯m7
Gmaj7A7♭9
D♯maj7♯11
D♯maj7♯11

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

Harmonic analysis

1Major ii–V–I
1Minor ii–V–i
5ii–V moves
2Tritone substitutions
0Dominant chains
33Different chords

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

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.