JAZZ THEORY MASTERCLASS

My One and Only Love: The Lyrical Splendor of the Major ii-V-I

My One and Only Love is a quintessential jazz ballad that epitomizes the lyrical and romantic side of the American Songbook. Composed by Guy Wood with lyrics by Robert Mellin, it has become a touchstone for vocalists and instrumentalists alike, prized for its wide melodic leaps and sophisticated harmonic structure. The song's structure is a classic AABA form, each section carefully crafted to build emotional intensity. The 'A' sections are characterized by their soaring melody, which often requires a high degree of technical control to execute with the necessary soulfulness. From a study perspective, My One and Only Love offers a masterclass in the Use of the major ii-V-I progression as a foundation for lyrical playing. Unlike the more driving bebop standards, this ballad demands a sensitivity to the underlying harmony that informs the melodic choices.

My One and Only Love: Inside the Music

Every standard has a story, and My One and Only Love (in key of C) is a masterclass in songwriting and a foundational canvas for improvisation. Let's explore its unique approach to Lyrical ballad phrasing and chromatic ii-V-I navigation..

A Musician's Perspective & Background

Published in 1953, 'My One and Only Love' quickly ascended to the status of a premier jazz ballad. While Hartman and Coltrane's version is the gold standard, the song has been interpreted by a staggering variety of artists, from Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan to more modern icons like Sting and Rickie Lee Jones. The song’s historical significance is also tied to the way it bridged the gap between popular song and high-level jazz improvisation. During the mid-50s, it served as a perfect vehicle for the era's great crooners, while simultaneously providing a rich harmonic landscape for instrumentalists like Stan Getz and Oscar Peterson. Today, the piece is often used as a benchmark for a musician's maturity. Because the melody is so exposed and the harmony so rich, it requires a level of restraint and 'storytelling' that younger players often find challenging.

Interactive Soloing Laboratory

Use the controls below to visualize key harmonic moments on the fretboard and circle of fifths.

Harmonic Deep-Dive

The harmony of My One and Only Love is rooted in the key of C Major, but it utilizes a series of elegant ii-V patterns to move between tonal centers. The most striking feature of the 'A' section is the chromatic movement of the bass and the inner voices, which creates a velvety, expensive sound. The bridge (B section) is a highlight of the composition, typically modulating to the key of G Major (the dominant). This shift provides a welcome change in perspective, brightening the mood before returning to the home key. Technically, the harmonic structure encourages the use of extensions such as the 9th, 11th, and 13th to enhance the lushness of the chords. Performers often substitute standard dominant chords with altered dominants (7alt) to create more tension before resolving to the next tonic.

ii-V to Am (Bm7b5-E7alt)

Intervals: root, b3, b5, b7

Am7 (vi)

Intervals: root, b3, 5, b7

C Maj7 (I)

Intervals: root, 3, 5, 7

Dm7 (ii)

Intervals: root, b3, 5, b7

G7 (V)

Intervals: root, 3, 5, b7

Melodic Ideas to Try

The melody is perhaps the defining feature of My One and Only Love, characterized by its wide, intervallic leaps—most notably the octave-and-a-fifth leap that occurs in the opening phrase. This expansive range is what gives the tune its 'epic' romantic feel. Structurally, the melody is highly sequential, using repetition and Variation to build themes. This makes it very memorable for the listener while providing a clear roadmap for the improviser. In the bridge, the melody becomes slightly more rhythmically active, providing a contrast to the sustained notes of the 'A' sections.

The Groove & The Feel

As a premier ballad, the rhythmic foundation of My One and Only Love is usually a very slow, 'breathing' 4/4 time. The goal for the rhythm section is to create a soft, supportive cushion rather than a driving pulse. The bassist's role is critical in defining the harmonic movement while maintaining a steady, woody pulse. Because the tempo is so slow, the placement of the notes on the 'one' and 'three' must be extremely precise to anchor the ensemble. In more modern interpretations, the rhythm might be approached with an even straighter, almost classical feel, or conversely, with a subtle 12/8 triplet feel. ' The rhythm section must resist the urge to fill every gap, instead allowing the silences to be as meaningful as the notes themselves.

Improvisation Strategies

Improvising on My One and Only Love requires a 'melodic first' approach. Because the tune is so iconic, jumping straight into fast scales or technical patterns can feel disjointed. The wide leaps in the melody should inform your improvisational choices. Try to incorporate large intervals into your solos to match the song's character. In the bridge, where the key shifts to G Major, you have the opportunity for a more direct, diatonic approach before returning to the more chromatic landscape of the 'A' sections. Use this contrast to build a narrative arc in your solo.

Summary & Takeaways

' It teaches you that you don't need to play a lot of notes to be profound; instead, it's about the placement, tone, and emotional intent of each individual sound. Secondly, the song provides a fantastic lesson in navigating tonal shifts through ii-V-I progressions. By studying how the song moves from C Major to G Major and back, you gain a deeper understanding of the functional harmony that underpins much of the jazz repertoire. Lastly, My One and Only Love highlights the power of iconic melodic themes. As an improviser, learning to respect and draw from the original melody is a vital skill.

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