Four

by Miles Davis

Common Keys: Eb
First Melodic Interval: P5 ↑ M2
Form:

Triggers

I prime' ur(II V)

kc II ↑m3 ur(II V)

kc III bIIIm7 II I7

III bIII II I7

(D.C.al coda)

III bIII II IV I

(solo break)

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Starts with Bass
Solos on different changes:

Backdoor Progression

I ↑P4 ur(II V) kc I

Based on the minor third substitution principle, bVII7 is a substitute for a V chord. The II (IVm7 or IVm6) of the bVII is typical. A quasi II V

Another way to look at this move is as an Unresolved II V

Songs that use the same sequence:

Triggers Notation Key

The short hand notation that I use is explained here.

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Roman Numerals

Uppercase Roman Numerals indicate a chord function within its harmonized scale.

Intervalic Distances

Symbol = Interval Type
prime or ' = Prime (same root) chord species changes
M or Δ = Major
m or - = Minor
P = Perfect, used for perfect fourths or fifths
dim or º = Diminished
aug or + = Augmented
tri = Tritone (+4 or b5)

Direction

↑ or > = UP (↑) by interval indicated. ie ↑m2, ↑P4
↓ or < = DOWN (↓) by interval indicated. ie ↓m2, ↓P4

Harmonic Notation

kc = Back to the main key center or tonality of song.
kc() = Modulation to new key center relative to main key center.ie kc(↑ P4) would be a modulation up a perfect fourth from the song's main key center.
prime ´ = Prime Modulation, root same chord type changes
rmi = Relative Minor Modulation relative to main key center
pmi = Parallel Minor Modulation relative to main key center
rma = Relative Major Modulation relative to main key center
pma = Parallel Major Modulation relative to main key center
TB = Turnback - This is typically one or two bars in duration and leads back to an A section or to a new section.

Common Harmonic Priniciples

cyl()

Cycle - 3 of more chords the same intervalic distance apart and the same chord species. cyl(x, y, z) x = number of chords in cycle, x = interval and ↑ or ↓ direction, y = chord type.
ie cyl(4, P4 ↓, 7th)

FD cyl()

FD cyl - Full Diatonic cycle starting on chord Y. Default is major. if not major indicate scale or mode
   ie cyl(Δ, VI ↓ IV)
   ie cyl(-, VI ↓ IV)
   ie cyl(DOR, VI ↓ IV)

RC cyl()

RC cyl - Rhythm Changes Cycle. Default starts on III7 of key center and cycles thru 4 dominant 7th chords shortcut for cyl(4, P4 ↓, 7th). see Stompin' at the Savoy for ↑P4 RC cyl().

pi3

Picardy Third - Minor II V resolving to a major I. ie Am7b5 D7 Gmaj7

ur()

Unresolved - Typically a
that does not resolve to its I chord. Δ for major (eg Dm7 G7)
- or mi for minor (Dm7b5 G7)

Double Functions Chords - Setting up a modulation to new key center.

The following symbols are used to indicate form.

:] = Repeat(s) :] or [: :] followed by x and a number if more that the standard repeat
a) = Rehearsal Letters. A, B, C, D, etc...
coda = Standard coda used in music
D.S. = Standard D.S. used in music