Crystal Silence (A minor) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• The progression utilizes constant structure and parallel motion, moving between unrelated minor and major seventh chords (e.g., Bm7 to Bbmaj7#11) to create a floating, ethereal texture.
• Frequent Lydian extensions (#11) on chords like Fmaj7 and Bbmaj7 emphasize a “shimmering” harmonic palette characteristic of Chick Corea’s ECM-era compositions.
• Sudden modal shifts, such as moving from Am9 to Dmaj7, disrupt expected A-minor diatonicism, requiring the soloist to pivot between Aeolian and Lydian/Major tonalities.
• The turnaround employs highly altered dominants (B7b13, E7#9) to provide a sharp, dissonant contrast to the otherwise modal, impressionistic harmonic flow.

Improvisation Focus Modal Interchange: Navigating shifting tonal centers by identifying the specific Lydian or Dorian scales required for each non-functional chord change.

Difficulty Rating 4/5: The absence of standard ii-V-I cadences and the reliance on specific modal colors demand advanced harmonic awareness and precise melodic targeting.