Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Bb7758.3%
Eb7216.7%
F7216.7%
Ab718.3%

No obvious ii-V patterns detected.


Harmonic Highlights

  • Employs a bVII7 (Ab7) in measure 6 as a “back-door” dominant substitute, providing a chromatic departure from the standard IV-I blues cadence.
  • Features a static V7 (F7) through measures 9 and 10, eschewing the common ii-V7 progression for a more traditional, folk-blues harmonic weight.
  • Utilizes a strictly dominant 7th vocabulary, reinforcing a Mixolydian tonal center while the melody introduces dissonant #4/b5 tensions against the tonic.

Improvisation Focus Rhythmic displacement combined with the Bb Blues scale, focusing on “crushed” minor-second intervals.

Difficulty Rating 2/5. While the 12-bar blues structure is foundational, the challenge lies in mastering Monk’s idiosyncratic timing and angular melodic leaps.