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Misty Chords | Ella Fitzgerald Guitar Lesson

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Misty | Chords + Lyrics

Intro

Verse 1

Verse 2 (key change)

| Bmaj7 (Bmaj9) | F#m7 B7 | Emaj7 |
Walk my way, and a thousand violins begin to play.
| Em7 A7 | Bmaj7 G#m7 |
Or it might be the sound of your hello, that music I hear.
| C#m7 F#7 | B6 (D7 C#m7 C7) | B6 |
I get misty the moment you’re near

Bridge

Verse 3

| Bmaj7 (Bmaj9) | F#m7 B7 | Emaj7 |
On my own, when I wander through this wonderland alone.
| Em7 A7 | Bmaj7 G#m7 |
Never knowing my right foot from my left. My hat from my glove.
| C#m7 F#7 | F#7 | D#m7 G#7 |
I’m too misty and too much in love.

Outro

| C#m7 | C#m9 | C7 | N.C | Bmaj7 |
Too misty and too much in love.

Misty Chords: A Roman Numeral Breakdown of the Changes

Let’s analyse the chords in Misty using Roman numerals to determine the key.

There are two main indicators of a key, both involving pairs of chords a tone apart. If the pair consists of two minor chords, it suggests a II – III relationship, meaning the key is based on the tonic below them. If the pair consists of two major chords, they form a IV – V relationship, confirming the key.

Looking at the intro chords of Misty, we see Cm7 and Dm7, which suggests the key is Bb major, since Cm7 is II and Dm7 is III.

From here, Cm7 – F7 forms a II – V, while the Gm chords function as VI.

Armed with this information, we can now analyse the verse chords:

A few interesting harmonic shifts occur here:

Fm7 – Bb7 – Ebmaj7 is a II – V – I in the key of Eb.
The Ebmaj7 then moves to Ebm7 – Ab7, forming another II – V, now leading towards Db.
After this, we return to Bb major.
The final bar (C#7 – F#6) suggests a temporary modulation, acting as a IIx – V leading into a new key—where the next verse starts in B major.

If you check a real book, it likely won’t include the modulation from Bb to B that Ella Fitzgerald used in her version.

I’ve designed some TAB for how to play Ella’s chords on a single guitar. Here’s the link: Misty – Guitar Lesson with TAB.

Exploring the Bridge: Chromatic Motion and Harmonic Richness in Misty

Let’s examine the bridge, which begins on F#m.

Compare the opening movement to other songs with chromatic motion over a minor chord, such as My Funny Valentine and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. While they aren’t identical, comparing them will sharpen your ear.

Here are the bridge chords:

Theoretical Breakdown

First, we briefly shift perspective as if in the key of E (originally IV, making this a modal interchange).

| F#m (II) → F#mmaj7 (IImmaj7) |
This starts on II, with the maj7 adding tension and leading into the next chords.

| F#m7 (II) → B7b9 (V) |
A standard II – V progression, with the altered b9 creating a stronger pull towards resolution—either to I in E or IV if we still consider B the home key.

| Emaj7 → B6 | Emaj7 → C#9 → Fdim7 |
Emaj7 – B6 plays with the idea of E as the tonic (I in E, or IV – I if we still relate it to B).

The C#9 – Fdim7 (a VIx – bII°7 motion) builds tension before the next section.

| A#13 → G#m7 | F#13 |
A#13 functions as a chromatic dominant, adding colour before resolving to G#m7 (III).

F#13 (V) acts as a dominant, pushing back toward B being I.

| Bmaj7 → G#m7 → C#m7 → F#7 |
A classic I – III – VI – V turnaround, reinforcing the tonic-dominant relationship before returning to the main progression.

This bridge is harmonically rich, using secondary dominants, chromatic substitutions, and smooth voice leading to create movement.

Chord Chart

Having analysed the Roman numerals and worked through the TAB, the chord chart below is all you need. I’ve included the key change here—most people don’t start in Bb and modulate for verse 2; they simply begin in B.

Here’s the chord chart:

Misty Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro

If you’d like to download the chord chart for Misty as Ella played it, here’s a PDF: Misty Chord Chart PDF.

This chart was created using iReal Pro—here’s the iReal Pro file: Misty Chord Chart iReal Pro. With the iReal Pro app, you can easily change the key.

Want to play it like most people do? Transpose Misty to Eb and skip the key change altogether.

Misty—the jazz standard that inspired a Clint Eastwood movie!

There are several important versions of Misty worth exploring. The original instrumental, recorded by Erroll Garner in 1955, set the foundation.

The first vocal version came in 1959, performed by Johnny Mathis. His rendition charted and helped popularise the song.

However, Misty became even more famous through two female jazz legends—Sarah Vaughan (1959) and Ella Fitzgerald (1960)—each putting their own stamp on it.

More recently, in 2023, rising jazz artist Laufey released her own interpretation, adding a fresh take to this classic.

Of all these versions, it’s perhaps Ella Fitzgerald’s that has endured the most, which is why the chords and lyrics above follow her arrangement. Collectively, these renditions have solidified Misty as a true jazz standard.

While Clint Eastwood is best known for his Westerns and Dirty Harry films, his directorial debut, Play Misty for Me (1971), is one of his finest works.

The film follows a late-night radio DJ (played by Eastwood) who repeatedly receives requests from a female caller to play Misty. After meeting her in a bar, they have a brief affair—only for her to turn into an obsessive stalker.

A lifelong jazz fan, Eastwood often incorporated the genre into his films. Play Misty for Me was just the beginning—his 1988 film Bird is a tribute to saxophone legend Charlie Parker.

Misty Chords: Continue Learning

Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Misty. (Ella Fitzgerald) Guitar Lesson with TAB.

Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy: