“Blue Moon” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934. It became a hit for many artists, including the Marcels’ doo-wop version in 1961, and is a jazz favorite thanks to its simple, classic harmony.
The form is a 32-bar AABA, commonly in Eb or C major. The A sections use the I-vi-ii-V progression, one of the most common in popular music. The bridge moves to a new key area before returning.
For improvisation, practice the I-vi-ii-V with guide tones and bebop lines. It’s perfect for beginners learning to outline chord changes.
Practice at medium swing or as a ballad.
Section by section: in the A sections, the I-vi-ii-V cycle repeats every two bars, so practice a short phrase that outlines all four chords and move it around the instrument. In the bridge, the harmony moves to a new key; target the new tonic’s third on the downbeat. In the final A, add a turnaround lick to lead back to the top. Because the harmony is so familiar, focus on melody and rhythm to make your solo interesting: vary your phrase lengths and try starting phrases on different beats.
Practice tip: learn the I-vi-ii-V progression in all twelve keys. It’s the backbone of countless pop and jazz songs, and mastering it with “Blue Moon” will pay off across your whole repertoire.
Memorizing the Blue Moon Lead Sheet PDF: learn the form in sections, not all at once. Play the first eight bars until you can do them with your eyes closed, then add the next section. Within a week or two you won’t need the page at all, which is the real goal of any lead sheet.
Is it hard to play? It’s beginner-friendly. Recordings to study: Billie Holiday, the Marcels and jazz instrumental versions. Learn more about the songwriters on the Rodgers and Hart Wikipedia page, and find more beginner lead sheets on Minedit.