Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Gm7622.2%
Am7414.8%
Dm7414.8%
C7414.8%
Fmaj7311.1%
F613.7%
Bbmaj713.7%
A7b913.7%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Gm7 -> C7Setup (Major Key)4
C7 -> Fmaj7Resolution (Major)2
A7b9 -> Dm7Resolution (Minor)1
C7 -> Gm7Resolution (Minor)1
D7b9 -> Gm7Resolution (Minor)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The progression utilizes a smooth diatonic ascent and descent (I–iii–IV–iii–ii), creating a lyrical, step-wise bass motion characteristic of traditional ballads.
  • A secondary dominant (A7b9) provides a strong chromatic pull to the relative minor (Dm7), functioning as a V/vi.
  • The inclusion of a tritone substitution (Db7) acts as a chromatic approach to the supertonic (Gm7), replacing the standard VI7 or V/ii.
  • Frequent ii–V–I turnarounds (Gm7–C7–Fmaj7) reinforce the F major tonality throughout the structural transitions.

Improvisation Focus Chord-tone targeting and the F Major Bebop scale to navigate the frequent secondary dominants while maintaining the song’s lyrical essence.

Difficulty Rating 2/5 (Beginner-Intermediate): The slow tempo and clear diatonic framework are accessible, though the chromatic substitutions require basic knowledge of functional harmony.


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The Real Book - Volume III
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