Summer In Central Park (D major) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• Frequent modal interchange between D Major and its parallel D Minor (and relative F Major) tonalities creates a shifting “light and shadow” atmosphere.
• Use of chromatic “planing” with 6/9 chords (Db69 to Gb69) introduces non-functional color shifts that bypass traditional circle-of-fifths logic.
• The A7b9#5 to Dm9 sequence utilizes altered dominant tension to bridge the gap between the bright major sections and the darker minor sections.
• Integration of the G13 (IV dominant) provides a bluesy, subdominant flavor that anchors the sophisticated extensions.

Improvisation Focus Smoothly navigating the transformation of the 3rd (F# to F natural) as the harmony oscillates between D Major and D Minor tonalities.

Difficulty Rating 3/5; while the tempo is typically relaxed, the constant shifting between parallel keys and non-functional chromaticism requires precise harmonic awareness.