Level: 2
Tuning: Standard

Written in 1945 with French lyrics, "Autumn Leaves" became popular in the US a few years later when Johnny Mercer wrote English lyrics and Jo Stafford recorded it. There have been countless cover versions over the years, and a 1955 recording by Roger Williams became the first piano instrumental to top the pop charts. The chords of "Autumn Leaves" ascend by fourths: Am-Dm-G7-C-F, then Bm-E7-Am. In this key-of-Am arrangement the accompaniment to the vocal consists mostly of strums, with some chordal notes sprinkled in to fill out the rhythm. As is usually the case with chord/melody solos, the melody is played on the treble strings, mostly the top 3 (G, B and E strings). Both the backup and the solo are played in the first 5 frets, using first position chords.