Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Bbmaj7611.3%
Gmaj747.5%
B7#1147.5%
Am723.8%
Ebmaj7#1123.8%
Abmaj723.8%
F#m723.8%
Em723.8%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Ab7 -> Dbmaj7Resolution (Major)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The progression utilizes non-functional chromaticism and constant structure harmony, moving through disparate Maj7 chords (Bb, Ab, Db) that bypass traditional diatonic expectations.
  • Frequent use of slash chords and inversions (Dm/C, F/A, Gb/Bb) creates a smooth, stepwise bass motion that masks abrupt modulations between distant tonal centers.
  • Tritone substitutions and Lydian dominant colors (Ab7 to Dbmaj7, Gbmaj7#11) emphasize Metheny’s signature “floating” harmonic aesthetic, avoiding heavy V-I resolutions.

Improvisation Focus Chord-scale shifting, specifically utilizing Lydian and Lydian Dominant modes to navigate the rapidly changing tonal centers.

Difficulty Rating 4/5: The lack of standard ii-V-I patterns and the frequency of non-diatonic shifts require advanced harmonic fluency and precise melodic targeting.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Pat Metheny Real Book
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