Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Cm71018.5%
Am7b5916.7%
Dm7b5713.0%
Cm7/Bb47.4%
Abmaj747.4%
G7b1347.4%
D7#935.6%
G7b935.6%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
G7b13 -> Cm7Resolution (Minor)4
Am7b5 -> D7#9Setup (Minor Key)3
Dm7b5 -> G7b9Setup (Minor Key)3
G7b9 -> Cm7Resolution (Minor)2
Dm7b5 -> G7Setup (Minor Key)2
G7 -> Cm7Resolution (Minor)2
Am7b5 -> D7Setup (Minor Key)2
D7 -> Gm7Resolution (Minor)2
Dm7b5 -> G7b13Setup (Minor Key)2
G7b9 -> Dm7b5Resolution (Minor)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The progression features a classic minor line cliché in the A section, moving from Cm7 through Cm7/Bb to Am7b5 and Abmaj7, creating a descending chromatic bass movement from the tonic to the submediant.
  • It employs functional minor ii-V-I cells (Dm7b5 - G7b9 - Cm7) interleaved with secondary dominants like D7#9 (V/V), reinforcing the C minor tonality while adding bluesy tension.
  • The structure incorporates a deceptive cadence feel when Am7b5 moves to Abmaj7, substituting the expected resolution with a major seventh chord on the flattened sixth degree.

Improvisation Focus C Minor Blues scale combined with C Melodic Minor to navigate the minor ii-V voice leading.

Difficulty Rating 3/5: The tune blends accessible blues vocabulary with sophisticated descending changes that require disciplined voice leading over minor ii-V-I sequences.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume II
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