How to Play Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma
Autumn Leaves (1945) is a advanced-level jazz song that uses 4 chords: Am7, D7, Gmaj7, Cmaj7 in the key of Gm. The chord progression is ii7–V7–Imaj7–IVmaj7.
Chord Breakdown
- Am7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- D7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- Gmaj7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- Cmaj7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
About Autumn Leaves
"Autumn Leaves" by Joseph Kosma (released 1945) is one of the most recognizable jazz songs ever recorded. Its 4-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of Am7, D7, Gmaj7 creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.
Learning Autumn Leaves as a Beginner
If you're learning to play Autumn Leaves, start by getting comfortable with each chord individually before trying to switch between them. The goal is to make each chord change automatic — your fingers should know where to go without you having to think about it. Practice the chord loop slowly with a metronome, and you'll be playing the full song within a few weeks.