Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Ab411.4%
G07/Ab38.6%
Bbm738.6%
Eb738.6%
Dbm38.6%
G07/A25.7%
Ab0725.7%
Ab625.7%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Bbm7 -> Eb7Setup (Major Key)3
F7b9 -> Bbm7Resolution (Minor)2
Dbm -> Ab7b9Setup (Major Key)2
Ab7b9 -> DbmResolution (Minor)2
Bm7 -> E7Setup (Major Key)1
Eb7 -> Abmaj7Resolution (Major)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • Frequent tonic prolongation through diminished passing chords (Ab°7, G°7/Ab) facilitates smooth, stepwise voice leading within the Ab major key center.
  • The progression incorporates an extensive minor subdominant (iv) section featuring a Dbm line cliché, borrowing colors from the parallel Ab minor scale.
  • Secondary dominant structures (F7b9) create strong directional tension toward the supertonic (Bbm7), following the lush, post-Romantic harmonic tradition of Rachmaninoff.

Improvisation Focus

  • Targeting descending chromatic inner voices within the D-flat minor line cliché using the Db melodic minor scale.

Difficulty Rating

  • 3/5: The chromaticism and non-diatonic shifts require sophisticated ear-to-hand coordination, though the typical ballad tempo provides ample time for navigation.

📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume VI
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