Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Bb7825.0%
Eb7412.5%
Ab739.4%
F739.4%
Bm726.2%
E726.2%
Cm726.2%
Ebm713.1%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Bm7 -> E7Setup (Major Key)2
Ebm7 -> Ab7Setup (Major Key)1
Dm7 -> G7Setup (Major Key)1
C#m7 -> F#7Setup (Major Key)1
Cm7 -> F7Setup (Major Key)1
F7 -> Bbmaj7Resolution (Major)1
Db7 -> Gbmaj7Resolution (Major)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • Utilizes a 24-bar “Jazz Waltz” structure in 3/4, expanding and sophisticatedly re-harmonizing the standard 12-bar blues form.
  • The bVII7 (Ab7) functions as a modal interchange chord, creating a “backdoor” flavor that softens the tonic Bb7.
  • Incorporates a chromatic ii-V (Bm7-E7) to approach the IV chord (Eb7), functioning as a tritone-related side-step.
  • Employs a IV7 to ivm7 (Eb7 to Ebm7) movement, introducing minor subdominant tension typical of gospel-influenced blues.

Improvisation Focus Bb Blues scale integrated with “side-slipping” melodic cells to navigate the non-diatonic ii-V cycles.

Difficulty Rating 3 (Intermediate). The 3/4 meter and rapid chromatic ii-V shifts require more advanced harmonic navigation and rhythmic pocket than a standard 4/4 blues.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume I
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