This short analysis offered myself much needed insight into the mechanics of harmonic motion.
- Autumn Leaves - key signature = #
key signature = # = key of G major OR the key E melodic minor
( note ) B7 = B dominant 7 contains a D#. Hence, indicating the key E melodic minor
key of G major
I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | viio | I |
G | A | B | C | D | E | F# | G |
key of E melodic minor
i | iio | III | iv | V | maj/min | min/maj | i |
E | F# | G | A | B | C# | D# | E |
A-7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7 | F#-7b5 | B7 | E- |
B section
F#-7b5 | B7b9 | E- | A-7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Gmaj7 |
F#-7b5 | B7b9 | E- Eb7 | D-7 Db7 | Cmaj7 | B7b9 | E- |
Composition analysis
A-7 | D7 | Gmaj | Cmaj | F#-7b5 | B7 | E- |
ACEG | DF#AC | GBDF# | CEGB | F#ACE | BD#F#A | EGBD |
Chord Overlay
E-
EGBD
B7
BD#F#A
F#-7b5
F#ACE
Cmaj7
CEGB
Gmaj
GBDF#
D7
DF#AC
A-7
ACEG
- Using the chord overlay above makes it obvious to see the utilization of the common voice leading principle.
- The V of the current chord becomes the I/root of the following chord.
- Hence, the foundation of the ii-V-I harmonic motion is the exploitation of V-I resolution principle in the key of G major.
( A-7/D7/Gmaj )A-7 D7 Gmaj Cmaj F#-7b5 B7 E- ACEG DF#AC GBDF# CEGB F#ACE BD#F#A EGBD
The composer uses the F#-7b5(7th degree) in the key of G major to modulate into the key of E melodic minor.
- Hence, a ii-V-I is repeated in the key of E melodic minor.
( F#-7b5/B7/E- ) - An interesting device is used in this composition. The harmonic motion established in this tune is a progression 4th intervals. A-7/D7/Gmaj7/Cmaj7. However, the interval of a #4th is utilized for the chord change from Cmaj/F#-7b5. This device allows a smooth transition into the relative minor key of E melodic minor. The "C"/root from the Cmaj becomes the flat 5th of the F#-7b5.
( note the D# ) indicating the key E melodic minorF#-7b5 B7 E- F#ACE BD#F#A EGBD - (note) The change from E-/A-7 is an interval of 4th. However, it is a I-IV relationhip vs a V-I relationship. Hence, the common voice leading tone is "G". EGB-ACEG. (note) The V-I relationship is utilized in the relationship between the minor third of E- (G) and the minor seventh of A (G)
E- A-7 EGBD ACEG