Three Flowers (Eb major) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• The progression features a persistent oscillation between Ebmaj7 and Db7, utilizing the bVII7 as a modal neighbor (Backdoor dominant) rather than a functional resolve.
• The sudden insertion of Am7 - D7 creates a remote ii-V relationship, providing a brief chromatic departure from the Eb tonal center.
• Tyner’s harmonic architecture implies quartal voicings throughout, allowing for modern, open-sounding textures over the traditional lead sheet changes.
• The structure emphasizes a Lydian-Mixolydian palette, shifting the fourth (Ab to A natural) to accommodate the shifting dominant textures.

Improvisation Focus Modal shifting between Eb Lydian and Eb Mixolydian.

Difficulty Rating 3/5. The slow harmonic rhythm is deceptive, requiring the soloist to navigate non-functional dominant chords and sudden distant ii-V shifts with melodic continuity.