Chord Distribution Analysis
| Chord Symbol | Count | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Dm | 8 | 17.0% |
| A7b9 | 5 | 10.6% |
| Gm7 | 4 | 8.5% |
| C7 | 4 | 8.5% |
| Am7 | 3 | 6.4% |
| D7 | 3 | 6.4% |
| Gm6 | 3 | 6.4% |
| Fmaj7 | 2 | 4.3% |
Key Patterns Detected
| Pattern | Function | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Gm7 -> C7 | Setup (Major Key) | 4 |
| Am7 -> D7 | Setup (Major Key) | 3 |
| D7 -> Gm7 | Resolution (Minor) | 3 |
| Dm -> A7b9 | Setup (Major Key) | 3 |
| Em7b5 -> A7b9 | Setup (Minor Key) | 2 |
| A7b9 -> Dm | Resolution (Minor) | 2 |
| Bbm7 -> Eb7 | Setup (Major Key) | 2 |
| Dm -> G7/B | Setup (Major Key) | 1 |
| G7/B -> Dm | Resolution (Minor) | 1 |
| Bm7b5 -> E7 | Setup (Minor Key) | 1 |
| E7 -> Am7 | Resolution (Minor) | 1 |
| C7 -> Fmaj7 | Resolution (Major) | 1 |
🎼 Sheet Music
Find Lead Sheet on Sheet Music Direct (PDF)Harmonic Highlights
- The progression utilizes a sophisticated line cliché (Dm - Dm/C - G/B), creating chromatic downward motion that transitions the tonic minor toward the subdominant.
- The “backdoor” sequence (Bbm7 - Eb7) acts as a iv-VII7 substitution, providing a minor-plagal flavor that resolves smoothly back to the D minor or F major tonal centers.
- Secondary dominants like D7 (V7 of iv) and the persistent use of A7b9 (V7) reinforce the D minor tonality through strong functional pull and altered tensions.
Improvisation Focus D Minor Blues scale integrated with D Harmonic Minor for resolving V7(b9) chords.
Difficulty Rating 3/5 — While the tempo is usually slow, the performer must navigate frequent non-diatonic substitutions and maintain melodic continuity over a shifting chromatic bass line.
📚 Standard Available in:
The Real Book - Volume II
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