Autumn Leaves | Chords + Lyrics
Verse
| Am7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
The falling leaves drift by my window.
| F#m7b5 | B7 | Em | Em |
The autumn leaves, of red and gold.
| Am7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
I see your lips, the summer kisses.
| F#m7b5 | B7 | Em | Em |
The sunburned hands, I used to hold.
Bridge
| F#m7b5 | B7b13 | Em6 | Em6 |
Since you went away, the days grow long.
| Am7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
And soon I’ll hear, old winter’s song.
| F#m7b5 | B7b13 | Em7 Eb7 | Dm7 C#7#5 |
But I miss you most of all, my darling.
| F#m7b5 | B7b13 | Em6 | Em6 |
When autumn leaves start to fall.
Autumn Leaves Chords: Learn the progressions
These days, the iReal Pro app has replaced the old Real Book. Here you can digitally change the key to whatever you like. Any jazz tutor worth listening to would say you should play this classic in all 12 keys as a vital part of your jazz diet.
If you are unsure where to start when it comes to improvising over this chord progression, a great first goal is to focus on entering each chord on the 3rd or the 7th.
However, don’t do this unless you can play the melody in all five positions first!
Here it is in the key of Bb, a great key for sax players. Notice how the chord extensions are slightly different.
||: Cm7 | F7 | Bbmaj7 | Ebmaj7 |
| Am7b5 | D7b13 | Gm6 | Gm6 :||
| Am7b5 | D7b13 | Gm6 | Gm6 |
| Cm7 | F7 | Bbmaj7 | Ebmaj7 |
| Am7b5 | D7b13 | Gm7 Gb7 | Fm7 E7#5 |
| Am7b5 | D7b13 | Gm6 | Gm6 |
Is Autumn Leaves the ultimate jazz standard?
The lyrics for Autumn Leaves vary depending on what artist you refer to. Nat King Cole, Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, Eva Cassidy, the list goes on and on, and is probably as long as the list of recorded jazz singers.
Above are the basic lyrics, paired with the chords from the key of G. Feel free to come up with variations, and don’t forget to practice in all 12 keys!
Autumn Leaves has become such a popular standard that there is not just one recorded version to reference.
Instead, musicians tend to go by charts that have been listed in various places and then develop the song from them.
Most famously, the chords for Autumn Leaves have been listed in the under-the-counter legendary Real Book as if in the key of G and go as follows.
||: Am7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
| F#m7b5 | B7 | Em | Em :||
| F#m7b5 | B7b9 | Em | Em |
| Am7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Gmaj7 |
| F#m7b5 | B7b9 | Em7 Eb7 | Dm7 Db7 |
| Cmaj7 | B7b9 | Em | Em |
Autumn Leaves Chords | Related Pages
Five similar tunes with chords and lyrics
- All Of Me chords by Frank Sinatra
- Baby Won’t You Please Come Home chords by Bessie Smith
- Blue Moon chords by Billie Holiday
- Fly Me To The Moon chords by Frank Sinatra
- L-O-V-E chords by Nat King Cole
Chet Baker tunes
Trumpeter, Chet Baker is most famous for singing My Funny Valentine and how his approach to jazz pioneered the style of Cool.
Chet recorded many jazz standards including Autumn Leaves, I Fall In Love Too Easy, Stella By Starlight, and A Foggy Day.
Chet Baker on the web
Ballads & First Dances
The perfect first dance or an emotional piece for your next audition, this collection of Ballads & First Dances is great for working on your expression.
Learn tunes from Burt Bacharach, Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Eva Cassidy, Ben Harper, Etta James, Chet Baker, Elvis, Norah Jones, and many more.
Blues & Jazz
The foundation upon which popular music stands, Blues & Jazz tunes must be explored in depth by the serious guitar player.
Learn from the best by studying the greatest tunes of the genres. Study the iconic licks and melodies to grasp the language of these most important styles.
About me | Dan Lundholm
This was a guitar lesson about Autumn Leaves chords, by Dan Lundholm. Discover more about him and learn guitar with Spytunes.
Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.
