Question about some changes

musicjohnny · #1 01-31-2010, 07:15 PM

I learned a tune called "I'm in the mood for love" in the key of c.

Going into the second verse, these chords are played

(C Maj7 was the last chord of the first verse)

F#m7b5 B7 Emi7 Am7b5 D7 Dm7b5 G7

Ok, so from what I've gathered from this, is that a Dom 7 chord can be preceded nicely by the 5th of said chord in m7b5 form. Am I correct in saying this?

And if so, why does this work? I really see no correlation between the two.

musicjohnny · #2 01-31-2010, 07:37 PM

Ohhh, I think I figured it out.

F#-7b5, B7, Emi is simply a ii-V-i but in a minor key, Em.
And A-7b5 to D7, is in the key of gm, but still I have a question.

How come that D7 jumps to that d-7b5 like that? It seems so abrupt to me.

randalljazz · #3 02-01-2010, 06:14 AM

m7b5 is a common substitute for the m7 chord, either if which is a substitute for the IV or iv chord. all of them in the subdominant family. subdominant goes to dominant, which goes to tonic.

D7 is not 'jumping' to Dm7b5. it is a harmonic sequence. think of a 'comma' between the two ii-V's.

(most versions have m7 chords, but no matter.)

also, if you say it is in the key of c (lower case), that means C minor, which this tune is not.

further, these chords are in the bridge, not the "second verse". the bridge is the 3rd eight measure section in a typical 32 ms tune, like this one. the form is AABA.

musicjohnny · #4 02-01-2010, 06:24 PM

Ahh, ok thanks for the corrections, but I still have more questions.

So.....

F#m7b5 B7 Emi7 Am7b 5 D7 , Dm7b5 G7 Cmaj7
ii - V - i iv - - ii - V - I

Right? Still confused a bit about the function of the that D7

timscarey · #5 02-02-2010, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicjohnny

Right? Still confused a bit about the function of the that D7

it sounds good. That's all you need to know.

Theory is like a hot girl, you want it so bad, but all it's going to do is stop you from being yourself.

randalljazz · #6 02-02-2010, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicjohnny

Ahh, ok thanks for the corrections, but I still have more questions.

So.....

F#m7b5 B7 Emi7 Am7b 5 D7 , Dm7b5 G7 Cmaj7
ii - V - i iv - - ii - V - I

Right? Still confused a bit about the function of the that D7

the harmonic sequence (a repeating pattern) is understood by its function:

F#m7b5 - B7 - Em7 is (as you noticed) ii-V-i in E minor, the temporary tonic key (tonicization).

Am7b5 - D7 is ii-V of G, the dominant of the primary key. this ii-V does not resolve to its tonic exactly, but rather is sequenced with Dm7b5 - G7, the ii-V of the 'home' key.

this particular device is very common in all kinds of tonal music, and especially in the standards, often at the end of the bridge, as here.

Tonicization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

understanding how music works will not hurt your playing.

bako · #7 02-02-2010, 02:48 AM

F#m7b5 B7 Emi7 II V I in Em

Am7b5 D7 II V (Doesn't resolve)

Dm7b5 G7 II V (Doesn't resolve)

If D7 to Dm7b5 sounds abrupt then try notes closer together

ex. D A C F#-----D Ab C F
F# C D A-----F C D Ab
etc.

musicjohnny · #8 02-02-2010, 03:41 PM

Ahhh ok, I see now. Thanks for clearing that up guys.

What seemed to be confusing me were those half diminished chords, because up until this point I never saw them as a possible alteration of a minor chord but instead the leading tone of a major key a half step above.

Anyways, now I'm going to transpose and utilize this in my playing, thanks again.