Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Am7515.6%
Gm7515.6%
Bb6412.5%
C7412.5%
Ab726.2%
F726.2%
Dm726.2%
F613.1%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Gm7 -> C7Setup (Major Key)4
A7 -> Dm7Resolution (Minor)1
Am7 -> D7Setup (Major Key)1
D7 -> Gm7Resolution (Minor)1
Cm7 -> F7Setup (Major Key)1
F7 -> Bbmaj7Resolution (Major)1
Bbmaj7 -> Eb7Setup (Major Key)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • Chromatic Passing Chords: The sequence Am7 - Ab7 - Gm7 utilizes Ab7 as a tritone substitution for D7 (the secondary dominant VI7), creating a smooth chromatic descent to the ii chord.
  • Minor Subdominant: The inclusion of Bbm (ivm) introduces a classic “darkening” effect, functioning as a minor plagal cadence that resolves back to the tonic F.
  • Functional Turnarounds: The structure relies heavily on iii-VI-ii-V and I-VI-ii-V cycles, characteristic of the 32-bar AABA form and swing-era “rhythm changes” vocabulary.

Improvisation Focus F Major Bebop Scale.

Difficulty Rating 2/5: The harmonic progression follows standard diatonic logic with simple chromatic connectors, though the fast tempo typical of Hefti’s arrangements requires clean articulation.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume VI
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