Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Cm6637.5%
Fm7212.5%
G7b9212.5%
Dm7b516.2%
Abmaj716.2%
Am7b516.2%
D7#916.2%
G7b9sus16.2%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
G7b9 -> Cm6Resolution (Minor)2
Dm7b5 -> G7b9Setup (Minor Key)1
Am7b5 -> D7#9Setup (Minor Key)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The use of C Melodic Minor (Cm6) as the primary tonic establishes a sophisticated, bittersweet tonality by avoiding the “darker” natural minor interval.
  • Standard minor ii-V-i progressions (Dm7b5-G7b9) are frequently interrupted by bVI major chords (Abmaj7), providing a lush, romantic subdominant color.
  • Secondary dominant movements (Am7b5-D7#9) function as a “ii-V of V,” creating a chromatic staircase that drives momentum toward the primary G7 dominant.
  • Altered dominant tensions (G7b9, G13b9) are used to maximize voice-leading potential when resolving back to the Cm6 tonic.

Improvisation Focus C Melodic Minor and the G Altered Scale (Ab Melodic Minor).

Difficulty Rating 4/5; the piece requires advanced knowledge of minor-key functional harmony and the ability to navigate Evans’ specific, dense chord extensions with lyrical phrasing.