I Hear a Rhapsody — Chord Changes & Harmonic Analysis
- Composer:
- George Fragos, Jack Baker, Dick Gasparre
- Year:
- 1940
- Key:
- Eb major
- Form:
- AABA (32 bars)
- Style:
- Jazz Standard
- Tempo:
- 100–180 BPM
A bebop favorite with flowing harmonic movement. Features classic ii-V progressions and chromaticism.
About This Standard
Composed by George Fragos, Jack Baker, and Dick Gasparre in 1940, I Hear a Rhapsody became a jazz standard through recordings by Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey. Its sweeping, rhapsodic melody and appealing harmonic progressions made it a favorite of jazz musicians through the swing and bebop eras.
Notable recordings:
- Jimmy Dorsey — (1941 recording)
- Bud Powell — (various recordings)
- Bill Evans — (various recordings)
Chord Changes
Notation
Harmonic Analysis
I Hear a Rhapsody is a 32-bar AABA standard typically in C major with warm, singable harmonic progressions. The A section features clear ii-V-I motion in C with some secondary dominant color, while the bridge moves to a contrasting tonal area before returning home. The tune's straightforward harmonic language and memorable melody make it a good vehicle for swing-era and bebop vocabulary, and it is often played at medium swing tempos.