Standards · 1934
Troubled Waters chords & key
- Key
- F major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Year
- 1934
“Troubled Waters” is a jazz standard by Arthur Johnston from 1934. It is usually played in F major as a medium swing, and the 32-bar AABA form has 4 sections.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — F major
A
1.
2.
B
A
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
0Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
2ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
16Dominant chains
14Different chords
Most used chords
- A7×9
- E7×5
- D7×4
- Dm6×3
- Gm7×3
- G7×3
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Historic 78 rpm recordings
- TROUBLED WATERS DUKE ELLINGTON & HIS ORCH. · Johnston · Coslow · 1936 archive.org ↗
Frequently asked questions
What key is Troubled Waters in?
Troubled Waters is usually played in F major. For B♭ instruments that is G major, for E♭ instruments D major.
Who wrote Troubled Waters?
Troubled Waters was written by Arthur Johnston (1934).
What is the form of Troubled Waters?
Troubled Waters has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Troubled Waters played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Troubled Waters?
The opening bars are Dm6 | Gm7 E7 | A7 | D7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.