Chord Distribution Analysis

Chord SymbolCountFrequency
Ebmaj7321.4%
Fm7214.3%
Bb7214.3%
Abmaj7214.3%
Db7#11214.3%
E0717.1%
F#m717.1%
B717.1%

Key Patterns Detected

PatternFunctionFrequency
Fm7 -> Bb7Setup (Major Key)2
Abmaj7 -> Db7#11Setup (Major Key)1
F#m7 -> B7Setup (Major Key)1

Harmonic Highlights

  • The progression employs a chromatic ascending #I°7 (E°7) as a passing chord between the Imaj7 and iim7, facilitating smooth bass motion.
  • It features a “backdoor” cadence (IVmaj7 to bVII7), where Abmaj7 moves to Db7#11 before resolving back to the tonic Ebmaj7.
  • The bridge contains a sudden modulation to the distant key of B major (approached via F#m7 - B7), requiring a shift to the bVI tonal center.
  • Constant use of extended ii-V-I cycles reinforces the Eb major tonality while using secondary dominants to create harmonic tension.

Improvisation Focus Navigating the “backdoor” bVII7 chord (Db7#11) using the Ab melodic minor scale to highlight the Lydian Dominant sound.

Difficulty Rating 3/5; the A sections are standard jazz vocabulary, but the sudden, distant modulation in the bridge requires intermediate harmonic navigation.


📚 Standard Available in:

The Real Book - Volume III
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