How to Play ‘Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk
‘Round Midnight (1944) is a advanced-level jazz song that uses 5 chords: Ebm, Bb7, Abm7, Db7, Gbmaj7 in the key of Ebm. The chord progression is i–V7–iv7–VII7–IIImaj7.
Chord Breakdown
- Ebm — minor chord, darker emotional sound
- Bb7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- Abm7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- Db7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- Gbmaj7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
About ‘Round Midnight
"‘Round Midnight" by Thelonious Monk (released 1944) is one of the most recognizable jazz songs ever recorded. Its 5-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of Ebm, Bb7, Abm7 creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.
Learning ‘Round Midnight as a Beginner
If you're learning to play ‘Round Midnight, 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.