If I Loved You (C major) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• The progression from C6 to C°7 utilizes a common-tone diminished chord to create chromatic inner-voice movement (G to Gb to G) while maintaining the tonic root.
• The Bm7 - E7 sequence acts as a secondary ii-V that deceptively resolves to F6 (IV) rather than the expected relative minor, broadening the harmonic landscape.
• Inclusion of Bbmaj7 introduces a bVIImaj7 modal interchange chord, providing a lush, non-diatonic subdominant flavor common in Rodgers’ compositions.
• Minor ii-V-i cells (Bm7b5 - E7b9 - Am7) create strong directional pulls toward the vi chord, adding emotional weight through functional minor harmony.

Improvisation Focus C Major scale navigation with specific chord-tone targeting (3rds and 7ths) to outline the secondary dominants and the bVII shift.

Difficulty Rating 2/5: The harmonic rhythm is slow and the modulations are logical, making it an ideal study for intermediate players learning to navigate secondary dominants.