Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Bb13617.6%
B13617.6%
Dbmaj725.9%
Cm725.9%
Abmaj725.9%
Fm725.9%
Bb725.9%
F7#512.9%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Fm7 -> Bb7Setup (Major Key)2
Cm7 -> F7#5Setup (Major Key)1
F7#5 -> Bbmaj7Resolution (Major)1
Bb7 -> Ebmaj7Resolution (Major)1
Cm7 -> F7Setup (Major Key)1
F7 -> Bbm7Resolution (Minor)1
Bbm7 -> Eb7Setup (Major Key)1
Eb7 -> Abmaj7Resolution (Major)1
F#m7 -> B7Setup (Major Key)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The “ping pong” effect is created by a chromatic side-slip between Bb13 and B13, functioning as an alternating V13 to bVI13 movement that builds dominant tension over an implied Eb pedal.
  • The bridge shifts abruptly to Dbmaj7 before executing a ii-V (Cm7-F7#5) into Bb major, showcasing Shorter’s signature use of tertiary tonal shifts.
  • Parallel harmonic motion is utilized in the descending major 7th sequence (Abmaj7 to Gbmaj7), bypassing traditional functional cycles in favor of coloristic, linear movement.

Improvisation Focus Eb minor pentatonic/blues scale with chromatic side-slipping.

Difficulty Rating 4 (Advanced): The high-speed chromatic oscillations and rapid non-functional modulations in the bridge require sophisticated navigation and precise rhythmic pocketing.