It’s Only a Paper Moon, Part 1: Chord Progression

from: Gypsy Jazz Mandolin Essentials with Aaron Weinstein

This lesson is part of the course Gypsy Jazz Mandolin Essentials with Aaron Weinstein.

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Learn to play swing and jazz mandolin from scratch, with a step-by-step method for learning swing chord voicings, as well as simple, swingin’, melody-based solos for some of the most popular songs in the jazz and swing repertoire. Designed for newcomers to playing jazz and swing.

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Minor Swing

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It’s Only a Paper Moon

It’s Only a Paper Moon, Part 1: Chord Progression

It’s Only a Paper Moon, Part 2: Solo

It’s Only a Paper Moon, Part 3: Rhythm Play-Along Track

It’s Only a Paper Moon, Part 4: Solo Play-Along Track

It’s Only a Paper Moon, Part 1: Chord Progression

With music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose, “It’s Only a Paper Moon” is a ubiquitous jazz standard with nearly 450 recorded versions. Originally titled “You Belong to Me,” the song was renamed when it was added to the 1933 movie Take a Chance. Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald had back-to-back hits with the song in the mid-1940s, and it continues to be a popular choice for singers and instrumentalists alike. Aaron’s mandolin setting is in the key of G, but as he notes, it’s also commonly played in C, F, and other keys. In this video, Aaron walks you through the chord progression for “It’s Only a Paper Moon.”

“It’s Only a Paper Moon” Notation/Tab (Available to subscribers)

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← Just You, Just Me, Part 4: Solo Play-Along Track

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It’s Only a Paper Moon, Part 2: Solo →

Previous Lesson

← Just You, Just Me, Part 4: Solo Play-Along Track

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It’s Only a Paper Moon, Part 2: Solo →

Previous Lesson

← Just You, Just Me, Part 4: Solo Play-Along Track

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