Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Eb211.8%
Ebaug211.8%
Eb6211.8%
Bbm7211.8%
Eb7211.8%
Ab15.9%
Abaug15.9%
Ab615.9%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Bbm7 -> Eb7Setup (Major Key)2
Eb7 -> Bbm7Resolution (Minor)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The progression utilizes “line clichés” (I - Iaug - I6) on both the tonic (Eb) and subdominant (Ab), creating internal chromatic voice-leading from the 5th to the 6th.
  • A secondary ii-V (Bbm7 - Eb7) effectively tonicizes the IV chord (Ab major), a staple of the Great American Songbook harmonic language.
  • The sequence Abm7 - Fm7b5 - Db7 employs modal interchange, using the “backdoor dominant” (Db7) to resolve smoothly back to the Eb tonic.

Improvisation Focus Chord tone targeting to emphasize the shifting inner voices (#5 to 6) during the static tonic and subdominant blocks.

Difficulty Rating 2/5: The slow harmonic rhythm and consistent Eb major tonal center make it accessible, though the chromatic alterations require precise note choice.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume II
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