JAZZ THEORY MASTERCLASS

Our Love Is Here to Stay: The Timeless Gershwin Charm and Resilience

Our Love Is Here to Stay is a stunningly beautiful and optimistic standard composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin.

Our Love Is Here to Stay: Inside the Music

Every standard has a story, and Our Love Is Here to Stay (in key of F) is a masterclass in songwriting and a foundational canvas for improvisation. Let's explore its unique approach to Standard major-key ABAC form and Gershwin-style diatonic grace..

A Musician's Perspective & Background

The song became a massive hit after being performed in the 1951 film 'An American in Paris' by Gene Kelly. Historically, it holds a poignant place in jazz history as George Gershwin's final musical gift.

Interactive Soloing Laboratory

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

Harmonic Deep-Dive

The harmonic structure is a classic 32-bar ABAC form in the key of F major. It is characterized by its use of standard diatonic progressions (I-VI-ii-V) and elegant secondary dominants that add color without losing the song's joyful character.

Fmaj7 (I)

Intervals: root, 3, 5, 7

Gm7 - C7 (ii-V)

Intervals: root, b3, 5, b7

Am7 - D7 (iii-VI)

Intervals: root, b3, 5, b7

Melodic Ideas to Try

The melody is famously lyrical and singable, built on a series of rising fourths and fifths and gentle scale runs that outline the underlying chords with perfect clarity. It has a 'vocal' quality that makes it easy to remember and sing.

The Groove & The Feel

Typically played at a medium to medium-fast swing tempo, Our Love Is Here to Stay requires a consistent and 'bouncing' pocket. The rhythm section should focus on providing a driving pulse that matches the melody's energy.

Improvisation Strategies

Soloing on this tune requires a 'joyful' and 'melodic' mindset. Use the F major scale as your home base, but lean into the song's elegant resolutions using simple guide-tone lines.

Summary & Takeaways

The primary takeaway is the mastery of 'Gershwin-style' major-key melodic phrasing and the importance of 'rhythmic bounce' and optimism. It teaches you how to maintain melodic focus within a standard but sophisticated harmonic framework.

Master the key of F on Guitar with our complete collection of sheet music bundles. Download the high-resolution PDFs below to practice chords, scales, and arpeggios offline.

F Chords ➔F Scales ➔F Arpeggios ➔