Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Dbmaj7#111429.8%
Cm7817.0%
Ebmaj7#1124.3%
Emaj7#1124.3%
Dmaj7#1124.3%
Gbmaj724.3%
F13b924.3%
Bbm/maj724.3%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Gm7b5 -> C7#9Setup (Minor Key)1
C7#9 -> Fmaj7Resolution (Major)1
G7b9 -> Cm7Resolution (Minor)1

Harmonic Highlights:

  • Parallel “Lydian planing” through Dbmaj7#11, Ebmaj7#11, and Emaj7#11 disrupts traditional functional syntax in favor of shifting modal colors.
  • The use of Bbm/maj7 introduces the Melodic Minor sound as a stable subdominant tonicization, characteristic of Joe Henderson’s post-bop language.
  • Chromatic “side-slipping” (Dmaj7#11 descending to Dbmaj7#11) creates tension by momentarily exiting the F minor tonality.
  • The progression avoids standard V7-i cadences, relying instead on minor v-i movements (Cm7) and dominant substitutions like F13b9.

Improvisation Focus: Modal Interchange and Lydian Chromaticism.

Difficulty Rating: 4/5: The non-functional harmonic shifts and rapid succession of disparate Lydian structures require advanced modal fluency and precise linear navigation.