Autumn Leaves Tutorial
In this lesson we’re going to look at the jazz standard ‘Autumn Leaves’.
Autumn Leaves is one of the best-known of all jazz standards and is frequently called at jam sessions so it’s a good idea to learn and memorise these important chord changes.
Usually played in the key of G Minor, the tune follows a 32 measure AABC form and contains both major and minor 251 progressions. The same 251s are repeated throughout which makes the form easy to memorise and fun to play over.
We’re going to start off with some simple two handed voicings so that we understand the chord changes and the harmonic movement through the tune.
We will then create both a slow tempo, ballad arrangement incorporating right hand scale runs and other fills.
Related Lessons
We start the lesson by recapping the basic theory behind sus chords and then explore them in context of major and minor 251s
In a minor 251, the 5 chord will be an altered dominant chord. In this lesson we apply altered dominant chords to the major 251 progression.
Upper structure triads are complex sounding altered dominant chords. They will add texture and sophistication to your playing.
Do you have any suggestions as to the fingering when you come down on the C dorian scale and then come down in 3rds? What finger is best to start with?
Hi Adam,
My main tips would be:
Try to avoid playing black notes with your thumb – this also applies to improvisation. When the thumb is on the black notes, it’s hard to get it back down again and it reduces the mobility in your hand. This isn’t set in stone but it helps to keep this in mind.
Further to step 1 – there are some ‘good starting points’ that help keep your thumb off the black notes, for example, I like to start with my index and 4th fingers on D and F (9 & 11 of C dorian), then play C and Eb with my thumb and 3rd finger, then play Bb and D with my index and 4th fingers. Then thumb and third again.
It’s basically just index and 4th alternating with thumb and 3rd finger. You will find that if you keep running down the scale like this, your thumb will land on a black note but if you are only playing over 1 bar of C-7 this shouldn’t be an issue.
Also try to avoid the pinky finger as it is inherently weaker than the others.
Any other questions let me know 🙂
Cheers, Hayden
Thank so kindly. I will give it a try.
Can you do a walking bass to go with the chords? It would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Adam. Yes sure thanks for the suggestion. I think a dedicated lesson on Walking Basslines would be best and then we can apply the theory to this tune and also some other standards. Leave it with me 🙂 Hayden.
Thank you
please explain about those upper structure traids you used in the ballad style arrangement after 6:08
ps. i have already seen upper structure video
Hi Samyak,
Hi Hayden. Few questions. Where can I learn more about Robarto(?) style of playing? Couldn’t find any info on it online. Also do you have a lesson on embellishing melodies? And a lesson on ways to build scale runs (such as the broken thirds technique you used). I guess it would be good practice to practice that broken thirds technique for all scale? Would like to know more techniques similar to that. Thanks!
Hi Kester,
Thank you!!
Can’t find the Autumn Leaves chord changes print out. When I try to download it, I get the transcription.
Hi Wendy 👋🏻
Thanks for letting me know about this.
When I click the button it gives me this file: https://www.pianogroove.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Autumn_Leaves_Score.pdf
I will investigate further and please use the direct link above in the interim.
Cheers, Hayden
Hello Hayden,
first of all thanks so much for providing us with your jazz lessons that are really amazing!!!
Referring to the “Autumn Leaves” Transcription, I am struggling to find a plausible/good fingering for the measures 9 and 11. I am wondering if you have some suggestion/examples about that.
Thanks a lot for your time,
Cheers
Hello Hayden,
first of all thanks so much for providing us with your jazz lessons that are really amazing!!!
Referring to the “Autumn Leaves” Transcription, I am struggling to find a plausible/good fingering for the measures 9 and 11. I am wondering if you have some suggestion/examples about that.
Thanks a lot for your time,
Cheers
Hi Hayden, can you please explain in bar two of the the ballad style arrangement, the Cmin7. Why, and why it works the Eb maj7 arpeggio run.
Regards mark.
Hi Mark,
Great question.
Yes the C-7 works with an Ebmaj7 arpeggio run because the notes of Ebmaj7 are the 3, 5, 7, and 9 of C minor.
The Ebmaj7 contains the essential chord tones of C-7 (Eb and Bb which are the 3 and 7), the 5th, and also the 9th which is an extension or “colour tone”.
We must train ourselves to see that Ebmaj7 simply as 3-5-7-9 of C-7, or C-9, as we are just playing the tones of C minor.
I hope that helps and let me know if I can help further here.
Cheers, Hayden