A definite must-know standard, Autumn Leaves is one of the most commonly called tunes at jazz jam sessions. It can be played in Em or Gm, and therefore is an introduction to tunes that are commonly played in more than one key, forcing you to learn it in both keys. There are also major ii V I’s and minor ii V I’s to navigate in your comping and soloing, and the melody line is ripe for a chord melody arrangement.
Besides all of this technique material, Autumn Leaves is just a fun tune to play. It’s challenging, can be played at many different tempos, and sounds great in many ensemble settings. Because of this, Autumn Leaves should be one of the first jazz songs that you learn and study in the practice room.
To get you started with Autumn Leaves, here are 2 ways to play the melody of this great standard. We start with a simple single note version, then you’ll learn a version with some chords mixed in.
We opted to keep the arrangements simple so that it’s easy to play for beginners.
Autumn Leaves Melody – Single Note Version
Learn the melody as written, playing it along with the audio example. From there, play it along with the backing track and you work on memorizing this important jazz standard.
Backing Track
Listen & Play Along
Autumn Leaves Chord Melody
When you’ve got the single note version under your fingers, it’s time to learn this easy chord melody for Autumn Leaves.
The melody has been moved to mostly the top 2 strings, compared to the whole fretboard in the single-note example. This is to accommodate the chords played below the melody line in this arrangement.
Backing Track
Listen & Play Along
As a beginner, what should be our thought process when playing this? Particularly the single note melody: should we be able to/ try to be thinking of every single note name that we’re playing and it’s relation to the current chord? For example, for the first notes E F# G and C, should I be thinking of each individual note name as I play it (I’m trying to read the sheet music instead of tabs), think about how this is the Dorian, and that the notes are V VI Vii and iii of Am? Then do this with every note throughout the progression? I’m trying to get the most out of learning this and I’m feeling overwhelmed with trying to understand every single part of what I’m doing and I’m not sure if I’m overdoing it with trying to understand everything.
Thanks again for reposting the single note only version for us beginners. A version with shell chords w/b useful as well. Love, love your website, thanks again !
is there any video of someone playing this ? that would be helpful to see some of the fingerings on these chords 🙏🏽
Excuse me. There is the interval of fourth instead of fifth in am7 and em7 in chord melody version. Is it intentional?
Ops. Sorry. Just noticed that you already answered it. My bad
Can you teach me why Am7 include the fourth pitch in melody chord part
Sorry for my poor english
Sometimes, arrangers or jazz charts add a D on purpose to give color — that makes the chord an Am11 (A–C–E–G–D).
In a jazz context, Am11 and Am7 are often used interchangeably, especially if the melody note or accompaniment favors that D on top
can you teach me why Am7 include 4 interval in melody chord part?
Sorry for my poor english
Amazing job I feel like it needs tabs too
Molto interessante 🎸🎸🎸
Thank you so much! This is incredibly helpful.
Good!👍🎸
Can you post the Autumn Leaves single note solo. It seems to have gone missing.
Hi Glenn, it’s here: https://www.jazzguitar.be/blog/autumn-leaves-melody-and-solo/
At 82, I’ve able to play the tabs, thanks!
That’s awesome!!
you’re 82? G bless
In the chord melody, in the 8th bar, the chord is labelled as Em7, however, the notes in the tab contains an ‘A’ note?
Hi Vince, that chord is a quartal voicing (https://www.jazzguitar.be/blog/quartal-chords-harmony-voicings-for-guitar/).
it’s the 8th fret = G note which is a minor 3rd. Anyway A note sounds great over Emi7 as well, it’s 11 which is a part of minor pentatonic. Cheers!
I just started listening to these tutorials and am truly enjoying them. I never realized how much I would enjoy Jazz. I’m hooked.
Great site. Congratulations on the idea and execution.
Thank you very much.
I love this tutorials begining to get a grasp
I love this! Is there a version without tab?
Seconded
Please offer a tabless version
Thank you. I am just beginning my journey on guitar.
Thanks for the lesson,very nice lovely to play with.
Loved it! Thanks for the post! For the chord parts do you strum, pick or use 4 fingers?
Hi Pablo, thanks for the feedback! The chords are played with 4 fingers.
Really excellent way of teaching learners of jazz guitar. Well thought out and very clear.
A great book for beginners and a wonderful refresher for advanced guitarists. Lou De Fusco
How do you print this?
Well done…!!!
if write the key at begin (F#) coul be more understood that is Em key… but so many thanks… its a beautiful melody
More printable lessons would be mucho appreciated. Thanks anyways.
This is fabulous. I really do enjoy the lesson
A really smooth arrangement and one I will love to play in the future.
Many thanks as I have played other versions and they never sounded right.
I am new to playing jazz, but I am well and trully hooked.
Thank You for keeping my enthusiasm going.
Ray.
Dear sir
The 8th last bar chord is a diminished 7th, followed by the same 4 frets below. The min 7th b5 chord is wrong.
regards
john hartley
You are right. The Em7 chord in the 6th bar from the end is also wrong: note c should be a d. Unless the effect of c is intended.
Yes i’ve been wondering why the notes and tab show a Dim7, but the text above shows F#m7b5. I’ll go with the Dim…
Prior to following you guys a few weeks ago and buying the book shortly after, I had no jazz guitar knowledge. I’m having so much fun playing both of these patterns! Thank you for the quality lessons. Can’t wait to play more.
What key is this arrangement written in?
Hi Ays, this arrangement is in E minor.
I was thinking G.
Autumn Leaves is a minor song. G major is the relative major of E minor.
autumn leaves was originally written in the key of Gm, the real book version of this song is written in the key of Em
I will now pursue my musical side playing jew harp, aka mouth harp, no note thingys to worry about, might smear my lipstick, but who cares right?
After trying to play this, I realized I am a failure in life, and so through away my guitar and started wearing women’s clothes, and find it much easier to play crossword puzzles in drag. So long guitar!!!
Marvelous
merci beaucoup!
super tuto pour un debutant
many thanks
great for a beginner as i am
So I’m an existing guitar player but new to jazz. Would you recommend playing with a pick or should I learn to use my fingers instead. I assume from the sound that you are playing fingerstyle.
Thanks! Excellent Job. Here from Brazil.
Will enjoy working through your excellent outline. Bought the rest ithis was so fun
Thank you for this arrangement, very smooth 😉
This arrangement is pretty smooth and easy to embellish on; and soloing on it is very easy to do. Fun to play.
Thanx
JL