Don’t Get Around Much Anymore is a classic swing standard written by Duke Ellington. He first recorded it with his orchestra in 1940 under the title Never No Lament. The tune became popular in 1943, with hit versions by both Duke Ellington and The Ink Spots.
In this jazz guitar lesson, you will learn a chord melody version of Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. I harmonized the melody using sixths, drop 2, and drop 3 chords.
The song uses a call-and-response technique between sections of the big band, similar to Stompin’ at the Savoy, an earlier swing-era jazz standard. The sixths in my arrangement play the role of the call, and the chord hits that follow act as the response.
The chord progression follows a 32-bar AABA form.
- The A section moves through Cmaj7, A7, D7, and G7, a classic I-VI-II-V progression.
- The bridge starts on the IV chord (Fmaj7), then goes to the IV minor (Fm7), a chord borrowed from the parallel minor key.
Recommended listening:
- Ella Fitzgerald (with Barney Kessel) – Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook (1957)
- Joe Pass – Portraits of Duke Ellington (1975)
Video & Guitar Tabs/Notation
Here’s the video, backing track, and sheet music with guitar tabs. Watch the video to hear how the arrangement sounds, then use the notation/tabs to learn it at your own pace.
The backing track lets you practice the full version once you’re ready.
Backing Track
Listen & Play-Along
Great arrangement of a classic song. It really swings. I especially love the final chord. I’ve never played a C6/7 (add9) that way. I will now!
Super dirk très intéressant à travailler.
Thanks for this; it’s very apt, for me.
Obrigado por mais está lição,muito boa e didática.
thank you dirk, nice arrangement with a positive vibe!
Thanks Dirk
Hi Dirk, the right stuff for beginners!
Thank you Dirk, another great chord melody!
Thanks for this old but always refreshing to hear piece of music. I’ll have a smile on my face while learning how to master this one for sure.
Thanks Dirk,
Ray P
I read someone had this played at his father’s funeral, it’s in my Will to have this played at mine also. I don’t want no Amazing Grace. Then they can play Roll Out The Barrel, Being Polish the last one to the Bar buys first round!
Anonymous,
do me a favor and play Amazing grace at my funeral ..
with a guitar and a good old tin whistle
Jazz is for fun, traditionals are for serious things 😀
Thanks Dirk. Great song to learn.
What a nice arrangement of this classic tune. Thanks Dirk!
Thanks once more, It´s a great job, you know how make us love Jazz guitar!!!
Had harmonica ace Paul Lamb play this at my dad’s funeral 20 years ago, and the freelance organist at the service (obviously a jazzer), without prompting, played us out afterwards. Not a dry eye in the place. Now I’ll get round to playing it in dad’s memory.
Thankyou Dirk, another jazz gem arrangement and great playing, I very much appreciate all the work you’ve put into these lessons.
Very nice arrangement. Thank you.
Very smooth and cheery. I love those 13 chords. Thank you Dirk.
Thanks! Measure 6; why not play the first four notes on the B string? Choices the beauty of the guitar!
Hi, that’s a possibility, but I find it easier to play in the position of the last chord.
Nice one Dirk! Bright and optimistic. Hard to come by these days, thank you!
Clean player, nice sound, and very nice arrangements!
Most appropriate title during the COVIDemic ! Thanks for a great arrangement.
Jerry in London, Canada
I love this site , thank you so much .
What a wonderful arrangement! Really fun to play but challenging at the same time.
This song is so catchy, I’m humming it all day! Great lesson, still ways to go before I can play it like you but enjoying the journey. Thanks for all the great info on the site!
Hi, thank you so much for wonderful music. I am trying to get your free e book but onfortunately no result.
Love this song. Great arrangement. This will keep me busy for awhile. Thank you from France.
Yes, much easier. Thank you. Really like the arrangement.
ottimo brano grazie
This is so brilliant. I (70) love this song. Decades ago we had a wonderful quartett (fl, p, g, b no dr like Duke’ s 2nd orchestra) and made a demo. Reminds me very much of that. Thank you so much.
Thank you Dirk, regards from Slovenia
Thanks, very nice arrangement
Great Arrangement……Love it!!!
Absolutely loving this arrangement. thank you!
Hi Dirk thank you 🙂
I find a super idea to include the guitar pro link!
Another great piece of work. Thank you!
Muito Bom. Obrigado
i dont see the button at the bottom…
It’s supposed to be under the Guitar Pro file download link, above the comment form, between the Pinterest and the Subscribe button. If you can’t see it, please let me know which device and browser you are using. Cheers!
Dirk,
Thanks for the lesson. I’m taking your Guitar Patterns and Phrases course. I cant’ open the Guitar Pro Files either in the course materials or these lessons your are sharing via email. I can download but not open them. The message says I need a certain App (application) to be downloaded to open the file. I use a new MacBook Pro laptop and both Safari and Chrome as my browsers. Suggestions?
Tom B.
Hi Tom, these files are optional for users of Guitar Pro software.
Hi Dirk, do you do any videos on how to read tab? Please.
Hi Graeme, reading tabs is very easy, do a search on Youtube, there should be plenty of videos explaining how to read tabs. Cheers!
Great arrangement !!!!
Many thanks Dirk. I’ve been trying to figure out this one for years!
Another good one and I love this new format. Great stuff. Thanks.
Yes, sounds great; really good arrangement, and so well played!
Thanks Dirk for the information. I always appreciate the emails I receive from you.
Dirk thanks very much for these jazz standard arrangements. Brilliant…
Formidable tema. Muchas gracias.
Thanks for this a great tune.
Great!Thank you!
Dirk, thanks so much for sharing all of this content you’ve been sending out recently. It’s exceptional in its instruction and a joy to work on guitar knowledge and techniques with real songs. You’re awesome!
Thanx Dirk, tune makes me happy! Groeten uit Amersfoort Nederland