Children Of The Night (Ab major) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• The initial alternation between Cm11 and Abmaj7 establishes a iii-I relationship, creating a floating, modal atmosphere characteristic of Shorter’s post-bop aesthetic.
• The modulation to Emaj7 employs a chromatic mediant shift (bVI in Ab), introducing a sudden brightness through non-diatonic root movement.
• Rapidly shifting ii-V-I sequences in Db major and Bb major demonstrate Shorter’s use of “fleeting tonics,” where the key center relocates every two bars.
• Functional chromaticism appears in the Gm7–Gb7–Fm7 sequence, utilizing a tritone substitution (Gb7 for C7) to transition smoothly toward the subdominant.

Improvisation Focus The primary concept is navigating Tonal Center Shifting, specifically mastering the transitions between the distinct ii-V-I cells in Db, Bb, and the home key of Ab.

Difficulty Rating 4 (Advanced). The combination of non-functional mediant leaps and rapid, multi-key ii-V-I sequences requires high-level harmonic agility and sophisticated voice leading.