Swinging At The Haven (F minor) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• The structure utilizes parallel planing of dominant 13sus chords (Bb13sus to Ab13sus), creating a modern, modal landscape that delays traditional functional resolution.
• Transitioning from Ab13sus to Dbmaj7 functions as a bVI major arrival, grounding the modal opening before entering a functional minor cadential sequence.
• The final progression employs a standard Gm7b5 to C7b9 turnaround, providing a sharp contrast between the preceding static “sus” harmony and a classic F minor ii-V-i resolution.

Improvisation Focus The Mixolydian scale (or Mixo-Pentatonic) for the sustained 13sus chords, shifting to F Melodic Minor for the functional turnaround.

Difficulty Rating 4/5: The combination of slow-moving modal sections and rapid minor ii-V turnarounds requires a versatile command of both contemporary linear playing and traditional bebop vocabulary.