{"id":16593,"date":"2023-08-15T17:25:57","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T15:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/?p=16593"},"modified":"2026-05-16T13:58:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T11:58:10","slug":"in-a-sentimental-mood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/in-a-sentimental-mood\/","title":{"rendered":"In a Sentimental Mood"},"content":{"rendered":"

Duke Ellington wrote and recorded In a Sentimental Mood in 1935. Over the years, it has become one of the most recorded jazz ballads and a favorite among musicians for its rich harmony, lyrical melody, and flexible phrasing. In this lesson, you will learn to play the melody of In a Sentimental Mood and a solo over its chord changes.<\/p>\n

\"In<\/p>\n

The original version and many later recordings are in F major, with the bridge moving to Db major.<\/p>\n

In a Sentimental Mood starts with a classic descending line clich\u00e9 played over a minor chord.<\/p>\n

Dm \u2192 Dm(maj7) \u2192 Dm7 \u2192 Dm6<\/p>\n

This creates a smooth chromatic descending line that you can use in your own solos:<\/p>\n

D \u2192 C# \u2192 C \u2192 B<\/p>\n

The same harmonic idea is then applied to G minor:<\/p>\n

Gm \u2192 Gm(maj7) \u2192 Gm7 \u2192 Gm6<\/p>\n

You’ll often hear this line clich\u00e9 in jazz ballads because it adds movement to a static chord. This inner voice movement gives the song its melancholic feel.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Recommended Listening:<\/strong><\/p>\n