Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Cm71426.4%
F71222.6%
Bbmaj7611.3%
Gm735.7%
Ebmaj735.7%
Dm735.7%
Db0735.7%
B7#523.8%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Cm7 -> F7Setup (Major Key)12
F7 -> Bbmaj7Resolution (Major)5
F7 -> Cm7Resolution (Minor)4
Gm7 -> C7Setup (Major Key)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • Employs standard I-vi-ii-V cycles in Bb major to establish a strong tonal center.
  • Features a chromatic passing motion (Dm7 – Db°7 – Cm7), utilizing the diminished chord as a bridge between the iii and ii degrees.
  • Incorporates a B7#5 as a tritone substitution for the dominant F7, facilitating a chromatic approach to the Cm7 or Bbmaj7.
  • Uses the IV chord (Ebmaj7) as a subdominant departure point, typical of Hoagy Carmichael’s melodic ballad structures.

Improvisation Focus Targeting guide tones (3rds and 7ths) to navigate the chromatic stepwise movement and functional ii-V-I resolutions.

Difficulty Rating 2/5: The progression relies on predictable diatonic patterns and common chromatic transitions, making it an ideal study for intermediate ballad phrasing.