Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Bb7616.7%
Fm7513.9%
Ebmaj7411.1%
Cm738.3%
F738.3%
Bbm725.6%
Eb725.6%
Abmaj725.6%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Fm7 -> Bb7Setup (Major Key)5
Cm7 -> F7Setup (Major Key)3
Bbm7 -> Eb7Setup (Major Key)2
Eb7 -> Abmaj7Resolution (Major)2
Abmaj7 -> Db7Setup (Major Key)2
Gm7 -> C7Setup (Major Key)2
Bb7 -> Fm7Resolution (Minor)1
C7 -> Fm7Resolution (Minor)1
Am7b5 -> D7b9Setup (Minor Key)1
D7b9 -> Gm7Resolution (Minor)1
Bb7 -> Ebmaj7Resolution (Major)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The progression utilizes a classic I - ii/IV - V7/IV - IV movement (Ebmaj7 - Bbm7 - Eb7 - Abmaj7), effectively tonicizing the subdominant via a secondary ii-V.
  • Frequent secondary dominants (F7, C7) and their related ii-minors create a chain of cyclic ii-V sequences that navigate through the circle of fifths back to the tonic.
  • A minor ii-V-i (Am7b5 - D7b9 - Gm7) provides a temporary shift to the relative mediant (iii), requiring an understanding of minor functional harmony within a major key context.
  • The Db7 chord functions as a “backdoor” dominant (bVII7), a common non-diatonic substitution that resolves upward to the Ebmaj7 tonic.

Improvisation Focus Mastering functional voice leading through secondary ii-V-I sequences and utilizing the Bb Mixolydian/Eb Major scales to bridge shifting tonal centers.

Difficulty Rating 3/5. While the key center is stable, the rapid succession of secondary dominants and the minor ii-V in the bridge require intermediate-level harmonic navigation.


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The Real Book - Volume V
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