Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
G7b13411.8%
Cm738.8%
F7#1125.9%
Fm925.9%
Bb7b925.9%
Abmaj7#1125.9%
Baug/C#25.9%
Dm7b525.9%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Fm9 -> Bb7b9Setup (Major Key)2
G7b13 -> Cm7Resolution (Minor)2
Dm7b5 -> G7b13Setup (Minor Key)2
Cm7 -> F7Setup (Major Key)1
Gm11 -> C7Setup (Major Key)1
G7b13 -> Cm69Resolution (Minor)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • Heavy use of non-functional chromaticism and slash chords (Baug/C#), creating the ambiguous, dark textures characteristic of Waldron’s writing.
  • Abrupt tonal shifts, specifically the ii-V-I sequence in Gb major (Abm7–Db9–Gbmaj7), representing a tritone-distant departure from the C minor tonic.
  • Frequent alternation between IV7#11 and IVm9, blurring the lines between Dorian and melodic minor modes within the subdominant function.
  • Inclusion of dominant chains and augmented structures (Abaug/Bb) that disrupt traditional ii-V-I resolutions.

Improvisation Focus

C Melodic Minor and its modes provide the necessary tension for the minor-major chords and altered dominant extensions throughout the progression.

Difficulty Rating

4/5: The combination of rapid distant modulations and unconventional dominant substitutions requires advanced harmonic navigation and modal fluency.