Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"A Smooth One" is a swing-era gem credited to Benny Goodman, first recorded by the Benny Goodman Sextet in March 1941. The composition is widely believed to have originated from riffs by electric guitar pioneer Charlie Christian, who was a member of the sextet at the time.

The tune follows a 32-bar AABA form in the key of F. The A sections are built around a catchy, syncopated riff that moves through B♭6 and Bdim7 chords with the bright, uncluttered harmonic language typical of the swing era. The bridge shifts to the IV chord (B♭) for melodic contrast before returning to the riff-based head. Taken at a buoyant medium-up tempo, the piece is a natural crowd-pleaser and a favorite among swing dancers, with its infectious groove and room for horn-like single-line guitar improvisation.

The original 1941 Goodman Sextet recording for Columbia features Charlie Christian on guitar, whose fluid, pioneering electric guitar lines are the highlight of the performance. Christian's revolutionary approach — playing the guitar as a melodic lead instrument rather than a rhythm accompaniment — is vividly on display throughout this recording.