Cottage For Sale (C minor) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• Extensive use of secondary dominants ($G7$, $C7$, $F7$) creates a chain of tonicizations, effectively moving the harmony through the circle of fifths toward the $ii-V$ cadences.
• The $Abm6$ functions as a minor subdominant ($iv$), providing a poignant modal interchange that contrasts with the $Eb$ major tonic and adds sentimental tension.
• Frequent use of $b9$ and $b13$ alterations on dominant chords ($C7b9$, $G7b13$) bridges the gap between the $Eb$ major and $C$ minor tonal centers.

Improvisation Focus Chord Tone Soloing is the most effective approach to clearly outline the rapid harmonic shifts and chromatic alterations present in the secondary dominants.

Difficulty Rating 3: The harmonic structure is dense with secondary dominants and modal interchange, requiring the improviser to navigate beyond simple diatonic scales while maintaining a ballad feel.