“Jitterbug Waltz” was composed by Fats Waller and recorded in 1942, featuring Waller on Hammond organ. It was one of the first jazz waltzes, and its playful melody and interesting harmony made it a favorite of later musicians, including Eric Dolphy and Chick Corea.
The tune is in 3/4, usually in Eb major. Its harmony moves through descending chord sequences and key changes, with a melody that dances and skips.
Section by section: in the opening section, outline the descending sequence with guide tones, keeping the waltz light and flowing. In the middle section, the harmony moves to a new key; mark it on your lead sheet. In the final section, return to the main theme. Waller’s playful style is the model.
Practice the waltz feel with a metronome on beat one.
Transposing tip: Bb instruments read it in F, Eb instruments in C.
Arrangement idea: feature organ or vibraphone on the melody for a playful sound, and keep the waltz feel light.
How to use this Jitterbug Waltz Lead Sheet PDF: print it or keep it on a tablet, mark the form sections and key centers in pencil, and write the guide tones you want to target above the tricky bars. Revisit those notes after each practice session so the tune gets easier every week.
Getting the most from the Jitterbug Waltz Lead Sheet PDF: start by reading the chord symbols without your instrument and humming the roots. Then circle any chord you can’t yet voice or arpeggiate, and make those your warm-up for the week before you play the whole form.
Is it hard to play? It’s intermediate. Recordings to study: Fats Waller’s 1942 original and Eric Dolphy’s version. Learn more about the composer on Fats Waller’s Wikipedia page, and find more jazz waltzes on Minedit.