Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Abm7414.8%
F#m7414.8%
Bbm7/Ab311.1%
G#m7/F#311.1%
Ebmaj7#1127.4%
Fmaj7#1127.4%
Bbmaj7#1127.4%
Cmaj7#1127.4%

No obvious ii-V patterns detected.


Harmonic Highlights

  • Utilizes a modal ostinato (i-ii/i) in Ab minor and F# minor, establishing a “floating” Dorian atmosphere through slash chords over a tonic pedal.
  • Features non-functional movement by minor thirds between tonal centers (Abm to F#m), characteristic of Henderson’s post-bop harmonic vocabulary.
  • Employs a closing sequence of Lydian chords (Maj7#11) ascending by whole steps, prioritizing intervallic texture and color over traditional dominant-tonic resolution.

Improvisation Focus

Modal Shifting: Mastering the rapid transitions between dark Dorian minor vamps and bright, non-functional Lydian structures.

Difficulty Rating

4/5: The absence of standard ii-V-I cadences and the reliance on constant structural shifts demand high-level modal fluency and melodic independence.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume I
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