How to Play The Girl From Ipanema by Antonio Carlos Jobim
The Girl From Ipanema (1962) is a intermediate-level jazz song that uses 4 chords: F, G7, Gm7, C7 in the key of F. The chord progression is I–II7–ii7–V7.
Chord Breakdown
- F — major chord, bright and stable
- G7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- Gm7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- C7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
About The Girl From Ipanema
"The Girl From Ipanema" by Antonio Carlos Jobim (released 1962) 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 F, G7, Gm7 creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.
Learning The Girl From Ipanema as a Beginner
If you're learning to play The Girl From Ipanema, 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.