Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Bbm7919.6%
Eb7b9613.0%
Abmaj7510.9%
Gb736.5%
Ab24.3%
F724.3%
E724.3%
Bm724.3%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Bbm7 -> Eb7b9Setup (Major Key)6
Eb7b9 -> Abmaj7Resolution (Major)4
Cm7 -> F7b9Setup (Major Key)2
Gm7 -> C7b13Setup (Major Key)1
C7b13 -> FmResolution (Minor)1
Fm7 -> Bb7b9Setup (Major Key)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • Employs sophisticated chromatic side-slipping via tritone substitutions, specifically the Ab to Gb7 to F7 to E7 sequence, creating a functional yet dissonant descending baseline.
  • Utilizes a “backdoor” ii-V resolution (Bbm7 - Eb7b9 to Abmaj7) interspersed with parallel minor-seventh movements (Bbm7 - Bm7 - Cm7) to delay tonic arrival.
  • Features a pivot modulation between the Ab major tonic and the relative F minor, often utilizing the Gm7b5 (iiø7 of F minor) to bridge the two tonal centers.

Improvisation Focus Chord-tone targeting and chromatic voice leading to navigate the dense, rapid secondary dominant substitutions.

Difficulty Rating 4/5. While the ballad tempo is slow, the harmonic density and unconventional chromatic root movements require advanced knowledge of functional substitution and precise melodic placement.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume I
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