St. James Infirmary (F minor) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• The progression centers on a persistent i-V7-i relationship (Fm to C7), utilizing the E natural leading tone to create strong functional resolutions.
• The inclusion of the iv chord (Bbm) provides subdominant tension, following the conventions of an abbreviated minor blues or folk-dirge structure.
• The harmony relies on cyclical tension and release, where the harmonic minor’s raised seventh (E) over the C7 chord defines the dark, traditional jazz atmosphere.

Improvisation Focus F Harmonic Minor is the essential scale, as it bridges the tonic minor tonality with the leading tone required for the dominant C7 chord.

Difficulty Rating 2/5: The predictable harmonic rhythm and limited chord vocabulary make it highly accessible for players learning to navigate minor-key functional harmony.