In a Sentimental Mood — Chord Changes & Harmonic Analysis
- Composer:
- Duke Ellington
- Year:
- 1935
- Key:
- F major
- Form:
- AABA (32 bars)
- Style:
- Ballad
- Tempo:
- 60–100 BPM
Duke Ellington ballad known for its lush harmonies and chromatic movement. Features sophisticated voice leading and romantic chord progressions.
About This Standard
Composed by Duke Ellington in 1935, originally as a piano piece for a masquerade party in Atlanta, In a Sentimental Mood became one of his most beloved ballads. John Coltrane and Duke Ellington's 1962 duet recording — with Ellington on piano and Coltrane on tenor saxophone — is considered one of the most perfectly matched pairings in jazz history.
Notable recordings:
- Duke Ellington — (1935 original)
- John Coltrane & Duke Ellington — Duke Ellington & John Coltrane (1962)
- McCoy Tyner — (various recordings)
Chord Changes
Notation
Harmonic Analysis
In a Sentimental Mood is a 32-bar AABA ballad in F major with a warm, deeply lyrical character. The A sections move through F major with rich extended chords (maj7, maj9) and smooth secondary dominants. The bridge provides harmonic contrast — moving to Db major (a tritone from the home dominant) — before the final A brings a tender resolution. Ellington's use of colorful extended voicings and unhurried harmonic rhythm give the tune its signature mood of wistful reflection.