How to Play What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
What a Wonderful World (1967) is a intermediate-level jazz song that uses 6 chords: F, Am, Bb, Fmaj7, G7, C7 in the key of F. The chord progression is Complex jazz.
Chord Breakdown
- F — major chord, bright and stable
- Am — minor chord, darker emotional sound
- Bb — major chord, bright and stable
- Fmaj7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- G7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
- C7 — dominant 7th, adds tension and movement
About What a Wonderful World
"What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong (released 1967) is one of the most recognizable jazz songs ever recorded. Its 6-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of F, Am, Bb creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.
Learning What a Wonderful World as a Beginner
If you're learning to play What a Wonderful World, 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.