Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Fm7812.9%
Gm7812.9%
Bb769.7%
Abmaj746.5%
C746.5%
Bbm746.5%
Eb746.5%
Abm734.8%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Fm7 -> Bb7Setup (Major Key)6
Bbm7 -> Eb7Setup (Major Key)4
Gm7 -> C7Setup (Major Key)3
C7 -> Fm7Resolution (Minor)3
Abm7 -> Db7Setup (Major Key)3
Eb7 -> Abm7Resolution (Minor)2
Eb7 -> Abmaj7Resolution (Major)2
Bb7 -> Ebmaj7Resolution (Major)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The iconic “major to minor” shift employs an Abm7 to Db7 (iv-bVII7) cadence, a classic example of modal mixture that directly reflects the song’s lyrical theme.
  • A chromatic voice-leading sequence (Ebmaj7/G - GbÂș7 - Fm7) utilizes a bIIIÂș7 passing chord to create smooth stepwise motion toward the ii-V turnaround.
  • The bridge features a sophisticated tonal shift where a tritone substitution (Gb7) pivots from the iii (Gm7) into a distant Bmaj7 tonality, showcasing Cole Porter’s advanced harmonic palette.

Improvisation Focus Ab Melodic Minor over the Abm7-Db7 progression to highlight the poignant b6 and b3 scale degrees during the minor-subdominant “goodbye” motif.

Difficulty Rating 3/5. While the A-sections are accessible, the bridge’s rapid chromatic modulations and non-diatonic target chords require precise guide-tone navigation.