Birth Of The Blues, The (C major) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• Utilizes #Io7 (C#o7) and #IVo7 (F#o7) as chromatic passing chords to provide smooth ascending transitions to the ii7 and V7 chords respectively.
• Features a robust secondary dominant chain (E7–A7–D7) following the cycle of fourths, necessitating precise navigation of shifting guide tones.
• Employs a tritone substitution (Db7) in the final cadence, functioning as a subV7 to create a chromatic resolution to the tonic Cmaj7.
• The progression bridges diatonic functional harmony with blues-inflected movement, specifically the IV to #IVo7 transition common in early jazz swing.

Improvisation Focus

The C Major Blues scale (C, D, Eb, E, G, A), which perfectly integrates the song’s major key center with its inherent “bluesy” melodic character.

Difficulty Rating

2 — The harmonic structure relies on standard functional patterns and predictable secondary dominants, making it an ideal entry point for intermediate players.