Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Bb7#11716.7%
F749.5%
Abmaj749.5%
Bb749.5%
Gm737.1%
D7#937.1%
Ebmaj724.8%
Abmaj7#1124.8%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
D7#9 -> Gm7Resolution (Minor)2
Am7b5 -> D7#9Setup (Minor Key)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • Uses non-functional parallel planing with Abmaj7#11 and Gbmaj7#11, shifting away from the initial Bb major tonal center into post-bop modal territory.
  • Employs “side-slipping” harmonic modules, alternating Abmaj7/Bb7 with Amaj7/B7 to create tension through chromatic transposition of identical chord structures.
  • Blends functional ii-V-I cadences with static modal blocks like Dm11 and Cm11, requiring the soloist to pivot between tonal and quartal harmonic languages.

Improvisation Focus The Lydian scale and Woody Shaw’s signature “fourth-based” pentatonic patterns.

Difficulty Rating 4/5: The rapid transitions between unrelated key centers and chromatic major-seventh shifts require advanced melodic fluidity and a strong grasp of modal interchange.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume II
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