Stompin’ at the Savoy is a swing-era jazz standard written by alto saxophonist Edgar Sampson in 1933. It’s often credited to Benny Goodman, whose 1937 recording of the song reached number 4 on the U.S. hit charts. Stompin’ was the theme song of the Savoy Ballroom’s house band, led by Chick Webb.
In this lesson, you will learn a chord-melody arrangement of Stompin’ at The Savoy in the original key of Db major.
The tune takes its name from the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem (NY), a legendary nightclub known for Lindy Hop dancing and its no-discrimination policy. The Savoy operated from 1926 to 1958 and played a central role in swing-era jazz culture.
Stompin’ at the Savoy follows an AABA form.
Harmonically, the tune is built largely around ii–V–I chord progressions.
The melody follows a call-and-response concept typical of big band writing. In this guitar arrangement of Stompin’, the call and response technique is heard between chord hits and single-note riffs.
Recommended listening:
- Charlie Christian – Live at Minton’s (1941)
- Jim Hall – Jazz Guitar (1957)
- Charlie Byrd – Jazz at The Showboat (1959)
- Kenny Burrel – A Generation Ago Today (1967)
- Joe Pass – Intercontinental (1970)
- The Jimmy Bruno Trio – Sleight of Hand (1992)
Video & Guitar Tabs / Notation
Backing Track
Listen & Play-along
very hard to play the chords without chord shape – it is possible to update transcript with chord shape like in video?
Hi George, I added the chord diagrams
Beautiful arrangement, Thanks Dirk! I want to learn some of those lines.
Wonderful arrangement!! Thank you!!
Lovely!
Good lesson for a great tune, thanks for all the good lessons.
very nice playing. Thank you.
Excellente leçon merci
Como siempre maestro excelente interpretación.
One of my all time favorites! Thanks so much for this outstanding contribution. It will help so many that are on this path. Wonderful job playing it as well. Impressive.
Very Especial sound! Great Dirk, thanks!
Fantastic lesson Dirk. Have you considered releasing a volume of Jazz standards played in chord melody style. I am convinced there will be a huge uptake. It will be money very well spent. Keep up the good work.
I like this! So I print the pdf to study it just now. I’m happy for having found a very good place to finally start playing jazz guitar. I play acoustic since many years and I hope to find the time to follow your lessons soon… Great job Dirk, congratulations and best wishes for everything.
Thank you. I have really enjoyed playing this 🙂
This is very amazing job – you play Stompin’ at the Savoy really new, Thanks for the top sound and the pdf.
Thanx, it’s really great to have the tune and the music to go with it! Makes learning and playing along easier!
Maravilloso tema. Muchas gracias maestro.
Thank you for this.
May I recommend Andreas Oberg’s recording as one of the best you will ever hear.
Great arrangement. Been wanting to learn this one for a long time. Thank you.
Hello!
I love the arrangement! However, there are a few chords that I don’t understand. I’m hoping that others on here more knowledgeable would be able to help out.
In bar 4 (Bb7 and Ebm7), wouldn’t the first chord be Bdim7 since the accidental makes it a natural B and not a Bflat in the first chord? The tab also shows a natural B. Also, shouldn’t the second chord be an Ebm11 (not Ebm7), since the 11th (Ab) is present on the high E?
In bar 12, the second chord (Bb7b9), the tabs seem to denote a Fdim7. Unless you add the B(flat9) on the high E which would give you a Bb7b9/F chord.
In bar 32, The first chord (Ab7b9) doesn’t have an Ab, so would Bbdim7 be a better name?
Thanks in advance, all!
Hi Stan, all these chords you mention are diminished chords, a common substitution for dominant chords. The Ddim7 voicing in bar 4 for example has the notes D F Ab Cb, functioning as 3, 5, b7, and b9 over Bb7. The Eb minor chord in bar 4 is indeed an Ebm11.
Thanks, Dirk. Also, for the Ab7b9 in bar 32, I think that should be an A7b9 and not an Ab7b9.
Great arrangement, great playing. Really appreciated! Very nice guitar as well! Thanks!
Really helpful. Thank you very much. Bluesview
Well done. Thanks
thanks a lot!
Hi Dirk, my guitar pro 6 will not open the gp file you left there is it a newer version?
Hi Matthew, the file is made with Guitar Pro 7.5
I use GP5 and the files will not open for me either. I have downloaded the free Tux Guitar program. This is an open source program and it will run these files. I then save the file as a GP5 file that I can then open from my Guitar Pro program. (I prefer GP over Tux, but would have no problem using it if I didn’t have GP). Hope this helps.
Thank you very much!
Thank you so much. After practicing for few weeks, I can play this beautiful tune without any issues. Your method of teaching is perfect. I’ve improved as a guitarist because of your lessons.
excellent, thanks
Hey Dirk,
I have a question about Solar: how can I know which scales are used for playing solos in different bars. For example, on the chords are Eb7, Ab7, and Dmaj7, I can use the Db major scale (bars 10-11).
The lesson (Solar) is very good so I spent a lot of time to manage it.
I start the new lesson (Stompin at the Savoy). You have done very useful work in these jazz lessons. I enjoy them a lot.
Watch out the Corona virus.
Regards, Arto
Hi Arto, I’m happy our lessons are helping! To find which scales to use, you have to do a harmony analysis, which is explained in more detail here: https://www.jazzguitar.be/blog/roman-numerals-analysis-transposition/
Hey Dirk
Thank you very very much. It is very good information to learn.
I think, i need to read some theory to get good foundation. So I ordered
your theory book. Now it is time to learn.
Regards
Arto
Hi Dirk,
I subscribed to your website 6 months ago and have not had the slightest idea of the depth and quality of teaching jazz guitar the way you do it via the numerous tuitions. I am novice to the genre of guitar jazz, but developed a fascination for the music of jazz. A daunting task, a challenge, but worthwhile to put the work into it. I have tried different ways to get my feet on the ground of jazz guitar without getting the impression I am actually making any progress. Until I started engaging with your tuitions. And WOW- It works! You also seem to have the right intuition and knowledge of choosing the pieces you transcribe (Like Stompin’ At The Savoy; I got the sheet music from the internet but had made no real progress with teaching myself). Very well done. I am definitely hooked on now. Keep up your excellent work. I am looking forward to receiving the next transcription.
Kind regards,
Thomas
Hi Thomas, thanks for the kind comment, I’m glad my lessons are helping! If you have any questions, let me know.
great tune – thanks
Beautiful song. Thank you for sharing it.
It’s a Lovely song. I knew it since I was a Child. 11 years old. Benny Goodman. Great memories. So thank you for the lessons!!!!!
Dirk,
Great lesson and the video really helps a lot. Question, what would be played when a different instrument is soloing? Not well versed enough to know what would be played. Any suggestions? Thanks again, your lessons are a lot of fun and very helpful.
Right in the ball park. Your tutorials get me heading in the right direction every time.Thanks!
This was amazing. Just learnt the full thing. Now on to dissecting it 😀
Wonderful Version
Grazie Maestro
Nice arrangement. Thank you!
Brilliant, great fun, thank you for this work!
Interpretation, phrasing excelent thanks teacher.
super petit morceau avec ça ont peu faire des progrès merci
Thanks Dirk, beautifully played and much appreciated
Beautiful and thank you. I will enjoy learning this one
Thank you. Excellent ,listening to this first thing this morning , solidifying my interest in jazz guitar. Now I know I have had it on the back burner to long,
Thanks for sharing; beautiful small piece of music 🙂
Bello
First class, Dirk, as a lesson, and beautifully played by you!!
Many thanks Dirk! Just what I needed in these crazy times!
Thanks, Dirk. Another great, generous lesson. Very nice playing! — “It don’t mean a thing (if ain’t got that swing)”.
Beautiful. One of the true classics of 2Oth century music. Thank you for such an accessible arrangement.
Thank you!!!
Great song ! Thank you !
thank you
thanks so much! I will try it, as far as I can. Awesome.
Nice!
Thank you that’s great
Thank you
Thanks, very kind, I love it
Great. Thank you.
Fabulous!!!
I really liked this lesson. Thanks!!
Fabulous !! Thank you !! So much better than reams of written work!
Great tune great playing. Thanks a lot.
This is great Dirk, thank you. I have guitar pro so this works out perfectly. I have shared on twitter and FB. Excellent instruction from a jazz master and great mentor.
Thanks for sharing, Larry!
didn’t realize it could be so good
Fantastic, thanks! (o;
Very nice..! Thank you!