Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Bbm7610.0%
Eb7610.0%
Bb7610.0%
Ebmaj746.7%
Abmaj746.7%
Db746.7%
Gm746.7%
C746.7%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Bbm7 -> Eb7Setup (Major Key)6
Eb7 -> Abmaj7Resolution (Major)4
Fm7 -> Bb7Setup (Major Key)4
Abm7 -> Db7Setup (Major Key)3
Gm7 -> C7Setup (Major Key)3
C7 -> Fm7Resolution (Minor)3
Bb7 -> Ebmaj7Resolution (Major)3
Eb7 -> Bbm7Resolution (Minor)2
Dm7 -> G7Setup (Major Key)2
G7 -> Cmaj7Resolution (Major)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • Employs a secondary ii-V (Bbm7-Eb7) to tonicize the subdominant Abmaj7, a staple of sophisticated ballad writing.
  • Features a “back-door” ii-V progression (Abm7-Db7) that provides a subdominant minor flavor before returning to the tonic.
  • Utilizes a cyclical iii-VI-ii-V turnaround, often enhanced by a chromatic dominant walk-down (Db7-C7-B7-Bb7) to create linear tension.

Improvisation Focus The Eb major bebop scale, with a specific emphasis on voice-leading the flat-third and flat-seventh intervals during the Abm7-Db7 “back-door” sequence.

Difficulty Rating 3/5; although typically performed as a slow ballad, the density of secondary dominants and rapid ii-V changes requires a solid grasp of functional harmony.