Fly Me to the Moon — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Fly Me to the Moon uses the chords C, E7, A7, Dm7, G7 in the key of C. The progression follows a I–III7–VI7–ii7–V7 pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

Jazz · 1954 · Intermediate

Fly Me to the Moon

by Bart Howard
Key of C 120 BPM Intermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of C · Progression: I–III7–VI7–ii7–V7

C
chord 1
E7
chord 2
A7
chord 3
Dm7
chord 4
G7
chord 5
Chord Loop
C — E7 — A7 — Dm7 — G7 — ...
Roman Numeral Analysis
View the harmonic structure and functional analysis of this progression.
View Analysis →
Key
C
Tempo
120 BPM
Chords
5
Genre
Jazz

Practice Tips for Fly Me to the Moon

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the C→E7 transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 120 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard

Fly Me to the Moon (1954) is a intermediate-level jazz song that uses 5 chords: C, E7, A7, Dm7, G7 in the key of C. The chord progression is I–III7–VI7–ii7–V7.

Chord Breakdown

  • C — major chord, bright and stable
  • E7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
  • A7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
  • Dm7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
  • G7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement

About Fly Me to the Moon

"Fly Me to the Moon" by Bart Howard (released 1954) 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 C, E7, A7 creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Fly Me to the Moon as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Fly Me to the Moon, 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.

Similar Songs (Same Key or Chords)

Let It Be
The Beatles
C – G – Am – F
Beginner
C · 75 BPM
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Bob Dylan
G – D – Am – C
Beginner
G · 72 BPM
Perfect
Ed Sheeran
G – Em – C – D
Beginner
G · 96 BPM
Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
C – Am – F – G – E7
Intermediate
C · 68 BPM
No Woman No Cry
Bob Marley
C – G – Am – F
Beginner
C · 90 BPM
Creep
Radiohead
G – B – C – Cm
Beginner
G · 92 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

What chords are in Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard?

Fly Me to the Moon uses the chords C, E7, A7, Dm7, G7 in the key of C.

The progression follows a I–III7–VI7–ii7–V7 pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

What key is Fly Me to the Moon in?

Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard is in the key of C.

The primary chords are C, E7, A7.

What is the tempo of Fly Me to the Moon?

Fly Me to the Moon is played at approximately 120 BPM.

This is a faster tempo — practice slowly first before bringing it to full speed. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 120 BPM.

What strumming pattern does Fly Me to the Moon use?

Fly Me to the Moon is typically in 4/4 time.

A common strumming pattern is down-down-up-up-down-up (DDUUDU) or simplified all-down for beginners. Focus on getting chord changes smooth before adding strumming complexity.

How do I play C chord on guitar?

C is the main chord in Fly Me to the Moon.

For C major: 3rd fret 5th string (A), 2nd fret 4th string (D), 1st fret 2nd string (B). Don't play 6th string.

Can I play Fly Me to the Moon on piano?

Yes! Fly Me to the Moon sounds great on piano.

Play the chords C, E7, A7, Dm7, G7 in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a intermediate-level arrangement.

Is Fly Me to the Moon beginner-friendly?

Fly Me to the Moon is rated Intermediate difficulty.

The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.

What is the chord progression in Fly Me to the Moon?

The main progression in Fly Me to the Moon is C – E7 – A7 – Dm7 – G7 (Roman numeral: I–III7–VI7–ii7–V7).

This 5-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.

Can I transpose Fly Me to the Moon to a different key?

Yes! Fly Me to the Moon is in C.

To make it easier, try transposing to G or D using a capo. A capo changes your effective key while keeping the same chord shapes. Use our Transpose Tool to convert all chord names automatically.

What genre is Fly Me to the Moon?

Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard is a Jazz song from 1954.

Its 5-chord progression (C, E7, A7, Dm7, G7) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.