“Corcovado,” known in English as “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” was composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim around 1960, with English lyrics by Gene Lees. Named after the mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro, it’s one of the most graceful bossa nova songs and appears on the classic Getz/Gilberto album.
The tune is often played in C major, though it starts away from home on a dominant chord over the fifth in the bass, commonly D7/A, followed by Abdim and then a ii-V. That opening creates a floating, unresolved feeling that’s central to the song’s mood. The harmony uses many chromatic passing chords and secondary dominants, all moving smoothly by small steps, before settling into C major.
For improvisation, focus on voice leading. The chords often share notes, so try holding a common tone while the harmony shifts underneath. Over the D7, use D Lydian dominant to bring out the G#, and over the diminished chord, use a diminished scale. Keep lines soft and lyrical, as bossa nova calls for. Short, singable phrases that echo the melody work better than fast bebop runs.
Practice with a bossa nova groove and straight eighth notes. Guitarists should learn the bossa comping pattern, and pianists should keep voicings light and syncopated. Learn the melody by singing it, as Astrud Gilberto did on the Getz/Gilberto recording.
Transposing tip: Bb instruments read it in D, Eb instruments in A. Check your lead sheet key before you start.
Is it hard to play? The melody is simple, but the opening chords and the chromatic harmony take time to hear. Slow practice with the recording makes all the difference.
Common mistake: playing too loudly or with swing. Bossa is gentle and straight. Recordings to study: Getz/Gilberto, Jobim’s own versions and Miles Davis and Gil Evans’s arrangement. Learn more about the composer on Antônio Carlos Jobim’s Wikipedia page, and find more bossa lead sheets on Minedit.