Harmonic Analysis: Analyzing the Chords of "On Green Dolphin Street"

Unlocking the Mysteries of "On Green Dolphin Street" – A Jazz Guitar Analysis

We start off very deep into the ballad introduction of the well-known jazz standard 'On Green Dolphin Street.' This song, written for a film of that same title released in 1947, became an absolute staple in the jazz lexicon. Lush harmonies, a really snappy melody, and an interesting arrangement have made this piece a real challenge for musicians but also provided many opportunities for interpretation. Whether you love the legendary recording by the Miles Davis Quintet or simply enjoy exploring its rich harmonic textures on your own playing, this piece is a must-know for any jazz guitarist.

The Daunting E♭ Pedal
If you've ever played "On Green Dolphin Street" at a jam session, you know it can be tricky, especially due to the daunting E♭ pedal. This recurring pedal point adds both tension and complexity, and if you’re working with a poorly legible chart, it can feel even more challenging. In this analysis, we’ll stick with the key of E♭ and show you how everything fits together harmonically.

Breaking Down the Chords
One of the key takeaways from exploring this tune is the importance of returning to fundamental jazz principles, like the ii-V-I progression. But as you'll see, "On Green Dolphin Street" also introduces some fascinating harmonic twists.

The Chords:
E♭maj7
G♭maj7
Fmaj7
Emaj7

Harmonic Analysis
Let’s break these chords down in the context of the key of E♭ major:

E♭maj7: The I chord
G♭maj7: The ♭III chord
Fmaj7: The II chord
Emaj7: The ♭II chord
The progression here creates a chromatic descent—E♭, G♭, F, E—often referred to as "side slipping." This chromatic movement gives the tune its distinct character and sense of harmonic tension.

The Tritone Substitution
One of the more interesting aspects of this progression is how the Emaj7 chord acts as a tritone substitution with a twist. Normally, we’d expect a dominant chord in this position, but instead, we get a major chord. Despite this substitution, it still functions to resolve smoothly back to the E♭ major 7 chord, creating a subtle but impactful color change.

Common Jazz Progressions with a Twist
A typical ii-V-I progression in the key of E♭ major would be:

Fm7 (ii)
B♭7 (V)
E♭maj7 (I)
However, in "On Green Dolphin Street," we encounter a variation that swaps out the minor and dominant chords for major chords, while incorporating that chromatic descent. This blend of familiar and unique elements is what gives the tune its memorable harmonic richness.

Real Book Variations
If you’re using a chart from the Real Book, you might notice some slight variations:

E♭m7 in place of G♭maj7
F7 instead of Fmaj7
These changes don’t alter the fundamental harmonic motion but offer different voicings and textures that reflect the flexibility of jazz harmony.

Conclusion: Demystifying "On Green Dolphin Street"
Hopefully, this analysis has shed some light on the complex yet beautiful harmonic landscape of "On Green Dolphin Street." The tune’s blend of chromatic movement, tritone substitutions, and clever use of major chords offers endless possibilities for interpretation. If you found this breakdown helpful, be sure to leave a comment or like the post. And if you’re new here, don’t forget to subscribe for more jazz guitar insights!

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