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Autumn Leaves Chords | Chet Baker Guitar Lesson

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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: Explore the Harmonic Structure

The chords for Autumn Leaves vary depending on the artist. Nat King Cole, Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, Eva Cassidy,—among many others—have recorded their interpretations, making the list of versions as extensive as the roster of jazz vocalists.

Above are the lyrics, paired with the basic chords in the key of G. Feel free to experiment with variations, and remember to practise in all 12 keys!

Autumn Leaves has become such a widely played standard that no single recorded version serves as the definitive reference. Instead, musicians rely on charts found in various sources and develop their interpretations.

Most notably, the chords for Autumn Leaves have been listed in the legendary, unofficial Real Book as if in the key of G/Em, structured 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 |

These days, the iReal Pro app has replaced the old Real Book, allowing you to digitally change the key to whatever you want – and have a midi band play on loop for as long as you like.

Any jazz tutor worth listening to would encourage you to play this classic in all 12 keys as an essential part of your jazz practise.

If you’re unsure where to begin improvising over this chord progression, a great first step is to focus on entering each chord on the 3rd or the 7th.

However, don’t attempt this unless you can first play the melody in all five positions!

Here’s a chord chart.

Exploring Reharmonisation in Autumn Leaves: Chord Extensions & Improvisation Tips

Here’s the chord progression in the key of Bb/Gm, a great key for sax players. Notice how the chord extensions differ slightly:

||: Cm7 | B7 | Bbmaj7 | Ebmaj7 |
| Am7b5 | D7b13 | Gm6 | Gm6 :||

| Am7b5 | D7b9 | Gm6 | Gm6 |
| Cm7 | F7 | Bbmaj7 | Ebmaj7 |
| Am7b5 | D7b9 | Gm7 Gb7 | Fm7 E7#5 |
| Am7b5 | D7b9 | Gm6 | Gm6 |

When the chords change between different versions of Autumn Leaves, it affects your improvisation by altering the harmonic framework you navigate. However, you can still apply similar intervallic approaches across different keys.

Here’s what happens when the chord changes occur:

Harmonic Context Shifts – The second version introduces altered dominants (D7b9 and E7#5). These addition create tension, which you can target in your improvisation.
Transposing Intervallic Ideas – Even though the key is different, the intervals and relationships between notes remain the same. For example, if you emphasise the 3rd and 7th of each chord in one version, you can apply the same approach in the other by shifting those intervals relative to the new key centre. This is why it’s so important to practise in 12 keys!
Chord Substitutions and Extensions – The second version includes more reharmonisations, so you may need to adjust your lines accordingly. For instance, when the B7 appears as a tritone substitution (2nd bar), it temporarily shifts the harmonic centre. You can outline this change by using altered or diminished ideas that resolve into the next chord.
Melodic Consistency – The core melody of Autumn Leaves remains recognisable across versions, so any improvisation should maintain its phrasing and contour, even when reharmonisations introduce new colours.

Practical Approach:

Play through both versions and identify the key differences in sound.
Target the 3rd and 7th of each chord to guide your lines smoothly.
Experiment with the altered tones introduced in the second version, such as the b9 on B7 or the chromatic passing dominants.
Transpose licks and motifs from one version to the other, adjusting only where necessary.

You can use the intervallic approaches from the second version in the first version, provided you transpose them correctly and remain aware of any altered harmonies.

Here’s a chord chart for the key of Gm/Bb.

Autumn Leaves Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro

Downloading my chord charts can be done in two formats: as static PDFs or in the iReal Pro format.

For Autumn Leaves, iReal Pro really shines, allowing you to create backing tracks, adjust the volume, and even remove instruments—perfect for practice or performance.

On a final note, most jazzers are probably pulling their hair out (if they have any left) seeing Autumn Leaves referred to as being in a minor key (Gm in this case). And that’s exactly why I put it in the chart—I love winding these guys up. After all, what’s funnier than an old angry dude with a clarinet?

Autumn Leaves Chords | Related Pages

Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics

When you can play Autumn leaves's chords, try these five tunes from the song book.