Autumn Leaves Chord Progression
The Autumn Leaves changes is the chord progression iv7-bVII7-bIIImaj7-bVImaj7-iim7b5-V7-i. In the key of C minor it is Fm7 Bb7 Ebmaj7 Abmaj7 Dm7b5 G7 Cm, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 4m(7) b7(7) b3(maj7) b6(maj7) 2(m7b5) 5(7) 1m.
It is also known as minor diatonic circle, Autumn Leaves A section.
Chords from outside the key of C minor: G7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
This is the circle of fifths in natural minor, with V made dominant at the end. The first four chords work as a ii-V-I-IV in the relative major, then the last three form a ii-V-i back in the minor key. The result moves smoothly between major and minor colours.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Leaves | Joseph Kosma | A section | Cm7 | F7 | Bbmaj7 | Ebmaj7 | Am7b5 | D7 | Gm7 | G minor |
| I Will Survive | Gloria Gaynor | verse and chorus | Dm G Cmaj7 Fmaj7 Bm7(b5) E7 Am | A minor |
| Fly Me to the Moon | Bart Howard | A section, bars 2 to 8 | Dm7 | G7 | Cmaj7 | Fmaj7 | Bm7b5 | E7 | Am7 | A minor |
Autumn Leaves Chord Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
Longer progressions that contain it
- Minor circle of fifths: Cm Fm Bb Eb Ab Dm7b5 G Cm
Shorter progressions inside it
- Minor ii-V-i: Dm7b5 G7 Cm
More progressions like this one
- Coltrane changes: Cmaj7 Eb7 Abmaj7 B7 Emaj7 G7 Cmaj7
- Chromatic descending ii-Vs: Am7 D7 Abm7 Db7 Cmaj7
- Rhythm changes A section: C Am / Dm G / C Am / Dm G / C C7 / F Fm / C G / C
- Descending ii-V-Is: Cmaj7 Cm7 F7 Bbmaj7 Bbm7 Eb7 Abmaj7
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Autumn Leaves changes in each key?
In C minor: Fm7 Bb7 Ebmaj7 Abmaj7 Dm7b5 G7 Cm. In G minor: Cm7 F7 Bbmaj7 Ebmaj7 Am7b5 D7 Gm. In D minor: Gm7 C7 Fmaj7 Bbmaj7 Em7b5 A7 Dm. In A minor: Dm7 G7 Cmaj7 Fmaj7 Bm7b5 E7 Am. In E minor: Am7 D7 Gmaj7 Cmaj7 F#m7b5 B7 Em.
Which songs use the Autumn Leaves changes?
Songs that use it include Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard.
