Standards · 1949
Wow chords & key
- Key
- F major
- Form
- ABCA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Up-tempo swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Year
- 1949
“Wow” is a jazz standard by Lennie Tristano from 1949. Most bands play it in F major, up-tempo swing; the tune runs 32 bars in ABCA form. Harmonically it contains 4 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 14 different chords and moves between the key centres F major and B♭ major. In this atlas it appears in 2 transcribed solos.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — F major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Gm7×5
- Fmaj7×4
- C7×3
- F6×3
- Am7×3
- A♭maj7×3
Key centres reached by ii–V
F major and B♭ major
Transcribed solos on Wow
| Lee Konitz alto saxophone | 174 BPM |
| Warne Marsh tenor saxophone | 175 BPM |
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Move 24% | B♭ major |
| Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home 22% | G major |
| Take The A Train 20% | C major |
| You Can Depend On Me 20% | F major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Wow in?
Wow is usually played in F major. For B♭ instruments that is G major, for E♭ instruments D major.
Who wrote Wow?
Wow was written by Lennie Tristano (1949).
What is the form of Wow?
Wow has 4 sections (ABCA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Wow played?
The usual groove is Up-tempo swing. Transcribed solos in our data were played at 174 BPM and 175 BPM.
What are the chord changes to Wow?
The opening bars are Gm7 | C7 | F6 Gm7 | Am7 Abmaj7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.