Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Cm7416.7%
G7b13312.5%
D7b928.3%
Bb7sus28.3%
Bb7b9sus28.3%
C7b914.2%
Fm714.2%
D7b9/F#14.2%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
G7b13 -> Cm7Resolution (Minor)2
C7b9 -> Fm7Resolution (Minor)1
D7b9/F# -> Gm7Resolution (Minor)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The progression centers on a recurring minor iv-V-i (Cm7 - D7b9 - Gm), often substituting the tonic for a G7b13 to create a secondary dominant pull back to Cm7.
  • A prolonged Bb7sus pedal acts as a dominant preparation (V/bVI), building significant tension before resolving to the lyrical Eb6 section.
  • Features chromatic bass movement using diminished passing chords (Ab°7) and inversions (D7b9/F#) to create smooth, linear voice leading between G minor and its dominant.
  • Utilizes a tritone relationship (E7#9 to Eb6) to pivot between harmonic sections, showcasing Corea’s signature use of non-functional parallel shifts.

Improvisation Focus The G Harmonic Minor scale (and its fifth mode, D Phrygian Dominant) is the primary tool for navigating the tension-heavy dominant b9/b13 chords.

Difficulty Rating 4/5: The fast rhumba tempo and highly syncopated “Spanish-style” rhythmic unisons require advanced technical precision and rhythmic maturity.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Latin Book
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