Don’t Get Around Much Anymore is a classic swing standard written by Duke Ellington, who recorded it with his orchestra in 1940 (under the title Never No Lament). Two versions of the song became a number one hit in the US R&B charts in 1943, the Duke Ellington version and a cover by The Ink Spots. In this lesson, you will learn a chord melody version of Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.
The form of Don’t Get Around Much Anymore is 32 bars long and follows the classic AABA structure.
The song uses a call-and-response technique between sections of the big band, comparable to Stompin’ at the Savoy, an earlier swing-era jazz standard.
The stripped-down chord progression of the A section is Cmaj7 – A7 – D7 – G7.
The B section starts with the IV (Fmaj7), before going to the IVm (Fm7).
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
Backing Track
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.
ottimo brano grazie