Chord Distribution Analysis
| Chord Symbol | Count | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| F#m | 14 | 18.7% |
| G#7 | 9 | 12.0% |
| C#7#5 | 7 | 9.3% |
| C#7 | 5 | 6.7% |
| Bm7 | 4 | 5.3% |
| Dmaj7 | 3 | 4.0% |
| D9#11 | 3 | 4.0% |
| D7#9 | 3 | 4.0% |
Key Patterns Detected
| Pattern | Function | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| C#7#5 -> F#m | Resolution (Minor) | 7 |
| G#m7b5 -> C#7 | Setup (Minor Key) | 3 |
| C#7 -> F#m | Resolution (Minor) | 3 |
| F#m7 -> B7 | Setup (Major Key) | 2 |
| C#7#9 -> F#m | Resolution (Minor) | 1 |
| B7 -> F#m7 | Resolution (Minor) | 1 |
| B7 -> Emaj7 | Resolution (Major) | 1 |
| Am7 -> D7 | Setup (Major Key) | 1 |
| D7 -> Gmaj7 | Resolution (Major) | 1 |
| Gmaj7 -> C7 | Setup (Major Key) | 1 |
| Am7 -> D7b9 | Setup (Major Key) | 1 |
| C#7#5#9 -> F#m | Resolution (Minor) | 1 |
Harmonic Highlights
- Frequent tonicization of F# minor via II-V-I cadences (G#m7b5 - C#7) is embellished by secondary dominants like G#7 (V/V) to heighten tension.
- Shifting colors on the bVI (Dmaj7 to D9#11 and D7#9) create a restless, chromatic modal environment typical of Mingus’s complex blues-inflected structures.
- Extensive use of altered dominant extensions (C#7#5, G#7#5#9) and tritone substitutions (Eb13) provides a dense, dissonant harmonic palette requiring precise voice leading.
Improvisation Focus F# Melodic Minor, utilizing the Altered Scale over the C#7 and G#7 chords to resolve the heavy chromaticism.
Difficulty Rating 4/5: The erratic harmonic rhythm and dense altered extensions require sophisticated navigating of minor-key functional harmony and non-diatonic substitutions.