Mirror, Mirror (E minor) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• The progression utilizes a “stepping” sequence of Major 7th chords followed by non-resolving Altered dominants, creating a sense of constant upward modulation rather than traditional tonic resolution.
• It features symmetrical root movement—often moving in whole steps or minor thirds—that bypasses standard ii-V-I functional harmony in favor of modern modal color shifts.
• The transition between Bmaj7, Eb7alt, and Emaj7 showcases Corea’s signature use of chromatic mediants and tritone substitutions to pivot rapidly between distant key centers.

Improvisation Focus The Altered Scale (7th mode of Melodic Minor) is the essential tool for navigating the frequent “alt” dominant chords that bridge the shifting Major 7th tonal centers.

Difficulty Rating 4/5 — The rapid harmonic rhythm and non-functional voice leading require advanced fluency in melodic minor applications and quick mental transposition across unrelated keys.