Take Five — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Take Five uses the chords Ebm, Bb, Eb in the key of Ebm. The progression follows a i–VI–III pattern. This is a advanced-level song.

Jazz · 1959 · Advanced

Take Five

by Dave Brubeck
Key of Ebm 120 BPM Advanced

Chord Sheet

Key of Ebm · Progression: i–VI–III

Ebm
chord 1
Bb
chord 2
Eb
chord 3
Chord Loop
Ebm — Bb — Eb — ...
Roman Numeral Analysis
View the harmonic structure and functional analysis of this progression.
View Analysis →
Key
Ebm
Tempo
120 BPM
Chords
3
Genre
Jazz

Practice Tips for Take Five

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Ebm→Bb 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 Take Five by Dave Brubeck

Take Five (1959) is a advanced-level jazz song that uses 3 chords: Ebm, Bb, Eb in the key of Ebm. The chord progression is i–VI–III.

Chord Breakdown

  • Ebm — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • Bb — major chord, bright and stable
  • Eb — major chord, bright and stable

About Take Five

"Take Five" by Dave Brubeck (released 1959) is one of the most recognizable jazz songs ever recorded. Its 3-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of Ebm, Bb, Eb creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Take Five as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Take Five, 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.

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Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
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Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Take Five by Dave Brubeck — FAQ

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

What chords are in Take Five by Dave Brubeck?

Take Five uses the chords Ebm, Bb, Eb in the key of Ebm.

The progression follows a i–VI–III pattern. This is a advanced-level song.

What key is Take Five in?

Take Five by Dave Brubeck is in the key of Ebm.

The primary chords are Ebm, Bb, Eb.

What is the tempo of Take Five?

Take Five 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 Take Five use?

Take Five 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 Ebm chord on guitar?

Ebm is the main chord in Take Five.

See our chord library for the Ebm chord diagram with exact fingering.

Can I play Take Five on piano?

Yes! Take Five sounds great on piano.

Play the chords Ebm, Bb, Eb in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a advanced-level arrangement.

Is Take Five beginner-friendly?

Take Five is rated Advanced difficulty.

This song demands significant experience with barre chords and complex patterns.

What is the chord progression in Take Five?

The main progression in Take Five is Ebm – Bb – Eb (Roman numeral: i–VI–III).

This 3-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.

Can I transpose Take Five to a different key?

Yes! Take Five is in Ebm.

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 Take Five?

Take Five by Dave Brubeck is a Jazz song from 1959.

Its 3-chord progression (Ebm, Bb, Eb) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.