Take The A Train

Billy Strayhorn

Medium Up SwingC4/4

22

chords

7

different scales

4

tonal centres

First bars

C6C6D7#11D7#11

Twenty-two chords, four tonal centres, seven scales. It's the simplest tune on this list — and it's here on purpose.

The third bar brings a dominant with a raised fourth, and that is literally why the tune exists: Strayhorn built the theme on that sound. Playing the obvious scale there erases the one thing that makes A Train sound like A Train.

The full analysis of this song

  • The scale for every chord
  • The triads
  • The arpeggio
  • The reason behind the choice
  • The player in all 12 keys
  • Thiago's commentary
See plans