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Howard, Bart

1 guitar song · Tabs, Lessons & Tone Guide Jazz

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Composer Overview

Bart Howard (1915-2004) was a legendary composer and pianist, not primarily a guitarist, but his work has become essential repertoire for jazz and fingerstyle guitarists worldwide. Born in New York during the golden age of American songwriting, Howard composed 'Fly Me to the Moon' in 1954, a standard that would define his legacy and become a cornerstone of the Great American Songbook. While Howard himself was a classically trained pianist and composer, his compositions are tailor-made for guitarists seeking to develop sophisticated harmonic knowledge, jazz voicing understanding, and melodic phrasing. 'Fly Me to the Moon' specifically has become a masterclass in why guitarists need to understand standards: the tune teaches chord substitution, smooth voice leading, and how to interpret a melody with taste and restraint. For guitarists, Howard's work represents the intersection of classical compositional technique and jazz sophistication. The song itself sits at moderate difficulty depending on your approach; a beginner can learn the basic melody and chords, but truly mastering the jazz interpretation, understanding the chromatic passing tones, and executing tasteful reharmonizations demands intermediate to advanced technique. This is not flashy guitar music. There are no complex fingerings or lightning-fast runs. Instead, Howard's compositions reward players who understand music theory, who can listen carefully to how other musicians phrase a melody, and who value clarity and emotion over technical pyrotechnics. Learning Bart Howard's standards has influenced countless jazz guitarists, from Jim Hall to Pat Metheny, because the music demands deep listening and careful interpretation.

What Makes Bart Howard Essential for Guitar Players

  • The A-section of 'Fly Me to the Moon' moves through Cmaj7, Dm7, G7sus4, and G7 with pristine logic; learning to voice these chords smoothly on guitar teaches you how to minimize finger movement while maintaining harmonic clarity. This is the foundation of professional jazz comping.
  • The melody of 'Fly Me to the Moon' sits naturally on the guitar's D and G strings in first position, making it an ideal entry point for fingerstyle players transitioning from pop to jazz. The tune rewards single-note melodic playing with proper vibrato control and long, singing note values.
  • The B-section modulates to F major and explores ii-V-I progressions in different keys; this harmonic device is one of the most important patterns in jazz and standards repertoire. Guitarists who master this tune understand how to navigate key changes with confidence.
  • Howard's compositions emphasize diatonic movement and smooth voice leading rather than chromatic or modal complexity; this teaches guitarists the value of economy and taste. You'll learn that a single, well-placed note is more powerful than rapid technical display.
  • The rhythm section foundation of these standards (typically walking bass and swinging drums) requires guitarists to understand space and phrasing; learn this tune and you'll understand why less is more when comping behind a soloist. Your job is to support the melody, not overshadow it.

Did You Know?

Bart Howard was a pianist and composer first, but he never played guitar; yet his melodies and harmonies are so logical that they adapt beautifully to the instrument. This shows how great songwriting transcends the composer's primary instrument.

'Fly Me to the Moon' was originally titled 'In Other Words' when Howard composed it in 1954; it didn't receive the famous lunar title until the space race craze of the 1960s. The melody and harmony were identical both times, proving the strength of Howard's original conception.

Frank Sinatra's 1964 recording of 'Fly Me to the Moon' became the standard bearer, but before that, instrumental versions by musicians like Chet Baker were gaining traction. For guitarists, the Baker trio versions are particularly instructive for learning how to voice the tune on a smaller ensemble.

The bridge (B-section) of 'Fly Me to the Moon' contains a chromatic descent that many jazz guitarists use as a vehicle for reharmonization; this single 8-bar phrase has spawned dozens of different voicing approaches and is a favorite test piece for guitar educators.

Howard composed over 200 songs in his lifetime, but 'Fly Me to the Moon' remains his most recognizable work; for guitarists, this is actually a blessing because it means centuries' worth of recordings and reharmonizations exist, giving you unlimited study material.

The tune's popularity means you'll find it in every jazz standards fake book and guitar chord chart resource online; this accessibility makes it perfect for self-taught players, but the abundance of incorrect voicings in some resources makes learning from trusted jazz sources essential.

Bart Howard lived to see his composition become a cultural touchstone, from Sinatra's 1964 version to its use in lunar missions and countless wedding receptions; for guitarists, this longevity is proof that great harmonic and melodic writing never goes out of style.

Essential Albums for Guitarists

Fly Me to the Moon: The Best of Bart Howard 2000

This compilation collects definitive recordings of Howard's compositions across different eras and instrumental settings. Listen closely to how different guitarists approach 'Fly Me to the Moon': the voicing choices, the melodic phrasing, the rhythmic space. This is the best way to absorb standards vocabulary without needing a private jazz teacher.

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Chet Baker Trio (Various Sessions) 1954

While primarily a trumpet project, these trio recordings feature brilliant acoustic guitar accompaniment in intimate settings. If you want to hear how a working guitarist comps through 'Fly Me to the Moon' in a professional context, these recordings show the restraint and taste required. The guitar is never showy but always musically intelligent.

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Jim Hall's Standards Recordings 1990

Jim Hall was one of the greatest jazz guitarists ever and recorded many Bart Howard standards throughout his career. His approach to reharmonization, his use of space and silence, and his ability to make a melody sing on guitar make any Hall standards album an essential study source for serious jazz guitarists.

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How to Practice Bart Howard on GuitarZone

Every Bart Howard song page on GuitarZone includes a built-in Practice Toolbar. No app to download, no account needed. Open any song, then use the toolbar to slow the video to 0.5× speed, set an A/B loop around the exact riff you're working on, and jump between song sections instantly.

The toolbar appears automatically on every guitar tab, lesson, and cover page. Pick a song below, hit play, and start practicing at your own pace.

Practice Fly Me to the Moon - Guitar Tab