Who composed How Deep Is The Ocean?

How Deep Is The Ocean was composed by Irving Berlin in 1932. It is a ballad standard in 4/4 time. The original key is Eb; this page shows it transposed to C#.

What key is How Deep Is The Ocean in?

The original key of How Deep Is The Ocean is Eb. The form is ABAC with 32 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to C#.

What scales work for improvising over How Deep Is The Ocean?

Recommended scales for How Deep Is The Ocean in C#: dorian, major, harmonic minor, bebop major, major pentatonic. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

What makes How Deep Is The Ocean important in jazz?

An Irving Berlin classic with sweeping harmonic motion, a favorite of Sonny Rollins and Chet Baker.

How Deep Is The Ocean in C#

Irving Berlin(1932)balladSlowly

How Deep Is The Ocean in C#

Irving Berlin's ballad moves through a striking series of fourth-based harmonic motion that opens up Dorian color on the minor passages, Bebop Major lyricism on the major sections, and Harmonic Minor tension on the minor dominant resolutions. The fourth-cycle harmonic logic gives the tune an unusually strong sense of forward momentum for a ballad. Voice leading across the fourth-based changes is the central harmonic challenge.

How Deep Is The Ocean in C#

C# major (or Db) sits in barre chord territory across the fretboard. Every chord demands precise barring, but the payoff is a bright, crystalline sound a half step above C that cuts through a band mix. C# is a intermediate-advanced-level key on guitar because no open strings fall within the key naturally, so every chord requires full barre technique. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through A# to C (ascending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from B to A# by half step.

Scales for Improvisation

C# major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, C# Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

ballad4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABAC

Chords: A♯m7, Cm7♭5, F7, Gm7♭5, C7, Fm7, A♯7, D♯m7, G♯7, C♯Maj7, G♯m7, C♯7, F♯7, A♯m7♭5, D♯7, Fm7♭5, F♯m7, B7.

Scales for Improvisation C# dorian, C# major, C# harmonic minor, C# bebop major, C# major pentatonic.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of C#

How Deep Is The Ocean in C#

Chord Diagrams — How Deep Is The Ocean in C# (Guitar)

How Deep Is The Ocean in C#

How Deep Is The Ocean in C#

Voice Leading

Scales for Improvisation

Related Standards