"I Fall in Love Too Easily" – Jazz Ballad for Beginners

Welcome to this lesson on the jazz ballad "I Fall in Love Too Easily." In this session, we explore the structure, harmony, and improvisational techniques for this beautiful and melancholic jazz standard.

This tune stands out due to its 16-bar form, which is half the length of most jazz standards. It also features a transition between major and minor tonalities, creating an emotionally rich harmonic palette.

Let’s begin with an analysis of the chord changes, followed by essential voicing techniques and improvisation ideas.

Understanding the Form & Harmony

Unlike the standard 32-bar AABA format, this tune is just 16 bars long, making it more compact yet harmonically sophisticated.

The song is in the key of Eb major, but it quickly moves into C minor, the relative minor. The first four bars introduce a 2-5-1 progression in Eb major, followed by a 2-5-1 in C minor, setting up the contrasting major and minor harmonic colors.

A distinctive feature of the tune is its use of diminished and minor-flat-five chords, which add tension and drama to the harmonic movement. These chords often serve as passing harmonies, smoothly connecting different tonal centers.

Basic Chord Voicings & Inversions

To effectively play this ballad, it’s important to use rootless voicings and spread voicings to create a full, balanced sound:

• 2-5-1 in Eb major → F-7 to Bb7 to Ebmaj7
• 2-5-1 in C minor → D-7b5 to G7 to C-7
• Chromatic Passing Chords → A-7b5 to D7 creates smooth movement between sections

Using voicing inversions in the left hand helps create smoother transitions between chords and enhances the harmonic flow of the piece.

Applying Suss Chords & Tritone Substitutions

Suspended (Sus) chords create a sense of openness, making them useful for embellishing dominant chords:

• Instead of playing a simple Bb7, try Bb13sus before resolving to Ebmaj7.
• This technique can also be applied to the A7 and D7 chords, adding richness before transitioning to minor harmony.

Additionally, tritone substitutions provide an alternative harmonic movement. For example:

• Instead of C7, play Gb7, which shares the same tritone interval and leads smoothly into the F-7 chord.

Improvisation Concepts

When soloing over "I Fall in Love Too Easily," it’s useful to target key chord tones and use simple melodic motifs:

1. Start with the melody – Play the melody with subtle variations to establish the song’s theme.
2. Use arpeggios & guide tones – Highlight chord tones (3rds and 7ths) for a strong harmonic outline.
3. Emphasize the 9th & altered tones – Over G7, experiment with the altered scale (Ab melodic minor) for a more colorful tension.
4. Repetition & space – Great improvisation isn’t about playing more notes but leaving space and letting melodies breathe.
5. Transcribe Chet Baker’s solo – His phrasing and note choices provide a masterclass in lyrical and melodic improvisation.

Practice Tips

1. Memorize the chord changes – Since it’s only 16 bars long, focus on internalizing the form so you can play without a lead sheet.
2. Listen to vocal versions – Understanding the lyrics and phrasing can guide your interpretation of the melody.
3. Experiment with left-hand voicings – Mix rootless voicings, shell voicings, and spread voicings for a balanced accompaniment.
4. Play along with recordings – Try comping under Chet Baker’s vocal performance to develop a feel for timing and dynamics.
5. Use minimalism in improvisation – Start with just a few well-placed notes, focusing on emotional expression over technical complexity.

Final Thoughts

This ballad is an excellent introduction to minor harmony, spread voicings, and lyrical improvisation in jazz. By internalizing the form and experimenting with voicings, phrasing, and embellishments, you can develop a deeply personal interpretation of this beautiful tune.

Enjoy your practice, and remember—less is often more when playing ballads!