Level: 3
Tuning: Standard

Like another Hoagy Carmichael classic, "Skylark," "Rockin' Chair" is a collaboration between Hoagy (music) and the great Johnny Mercer (lyrics). It was written in 1929, right around the same time Hoagy wrote "Stardust" and "Georgia On My Mind." Mildred Bailey, a very popular singer during the 1930s, made "Rockin' Chair" her theme song, and in 1929 Louis Armstrong waxed an iconic version of the song as well, sharing the vocals with Hoagy. Looking over this key-of-D arrangement, you'll find circle of fifths chord movement (moving up by fourths as in Bm7, E9, A7, Dmaj7 or G#m7b5, C#7, F#m) and some chromatic chord movement (descending by half steps: Am, Ab7b5, Gmaj7, or E7, Ebmaj7 D6/A). The song's form is unusual. It has three 8-bar phrases, and instead of the usual AABA format, it's ABCA. A practice suggestion: become familiar with the backup arrangement first, before attempting to learn the chord-melody solo. Play the backup chords several times and the solo will come easier, as it's mostly based on the same chord shapes.