El Gaucho (C minor) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• Parallel major 7th movements (Fmaj7 to Ebmaj7) exemplify Shorter’s non-functional planning, shifting tonal centers by a whole step without traditional resolution.
• Chromatic side-slipping between Bb7 and B7 creates high-tension dominant movement that pivots toward altered harmonies like E7#5#9.
• The Fm7 to Gbmaj7 sequence utilizes a bIImaj7 relationship, evoking a Phrygian modal color rather than standard functional cadences.
• Stepwise ascending minor chords (Cm7-Dm7-Em7) at the phrase endings replace traditional ii-V-I progressions with linear, modal transitions.

Improvisation Focus Modal Interchange: Navigating rapid shifts between parallel and unrelated modes while maintaining melodic continuity over non-functional roots.

Difficulty Rating 4/5: The lack of conventional functional harmony and the frequent modulations between distant keys require advanced modal fluency and sophisticated ear training.