This is a pattern exercise for the chord changes of “Autumn Leaves.” The pattern uses the 1, 2, 3, and 5 scale tones
Autumn Leaves
“Autumn Leaves” is a popular jazz standard that originated as “Les Feuilles Mortes” in French. The music was composed by Joseph Kosma, with lyrics written by poet Jacques Prévert. The song was introduced in the 1946 French film “Les Portes de la Nuit” (“Gates of the Night”) directed by Marcel Carné and starred by Yves Montand. The English lyrics were later written by Johnny Mercer.
Autumn Leaves Melodic Pattern 1235
In the video below I play the pattern along with guitar tablature.
The Guitar Tab
This exercise is a melodic cell with these scale tones:
- 1 (root)
- 2 (2nd scale tone or 9th of the chord)
- 3 (the 3rd of the chord)
- 5 (the fifth of the chord)
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A Short History On “Autumn Leaves”
“Autumn Leaves” is one of the most iconic jazz standards out there. It started as a French song called “Les Feuilles Mortes” (which means “The Dead Leaves”) in 1945, written by composer Joseph Kosma with lyrics by Jacques Prévert. It first appeared in the 1946 French film Les Portes de la Nuit, sung by Yves Montand.
A few years later, Johnny Mercer wrote English lyrics, turning it into “Autumn Leaves,” and it quickly caught on in the jazz world. The song really took off in the 1950s, with versions by Nat King Cole and a hugely popular instrumental by pianist Roger Williams, which even hit No. 1 on the charts in 1955.
Since then, it’s been recorded by just about every jazz great—Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Chet Baker, and many more. Whether sung or played instrumentally, its bittersweet melody and lyrics about lost love make it a timeless favorite. Even today, it’s still one of the most performed jazz standards ever.