Charlie Parker Analysis

Ethan Fisher

Starting on line 1 of the page, Bird begins the 2nd A section to the rhythm changes. Bar

1 consists of a Bb arpeggio that is palindromic and is followed by a similar shaped line in Bar 2.

This second bar starts with two beats of Bird playing a C-7 arpeggio that has a face value of a

Bb augmented triad. The second half of bar the cord changes to F7 while bird mirrors the first to

beats in the bar just like bar 1. Bar 3, bird plays on a two-five to C- yet plays at face value only a

C minor arpeggio and a D-. Bar 4 consists of 1.5 beats of rest followed by bird playing a

arpeggio with a face value of Gm7 before landing on the Eb of F7.

Line 2 starts with a Bb chromatic passage from D to F over a Bb7 chord and lastly

ending on a Eb (suspension). Bar 2 is a clean Bb mixolydian scalar fragment. The first half is a

Bb scale fragment followed by chromatic passage starting at A going up to C and back to A

agains indicating a F7 before resolving back to Bb in Bar 4.

Line 3 begins the bridge of the rhythm changes. for the first bar bird plays right down the

D mixolydian scale. Bird switches to a D7b9b13 arpeggio for the 2nd bar D7 (face value C-7b5

arp) and on beat 4 plays the notes A and G just before return back to the natural dominant

sounds of G7. On Bar 3 the first 3 beats consist on a descending mixolydian scale fragment with

bird adding in the #11 as a passing tone. Beat 4 of bar 3 bird plays Eb and b to setup an G

altered arpeggio over G7, this is the second bar of Bird taking 2 bars of consistently moving

dominant chords but changing it to V7/V7 followed by a measure of V7alt/V7 and then returning

back to mixolydian. The second half of the bar once again goes back to the mixolydian to setup

for C7.

Line 4 is the second half of the bridge, over a C7 bird plays a C mixolydian scale

fragment, with a passing tone of G# the second bar of C7 is similar with a continuation of the

line with the addition of the Db as a b9 chord tone on the C dominant. Bar 3 starts with the 2

beats with a F mixolydian scale passage landing on a suspension of that looks like a Eb triad

over F7. Bar 4 the second bar of F7 and starts with a wrap around of A then followed by another

wrap around around F.

Line 5 starts with a wrap around targeting D then the second half consists of a Gm face

value arpeggio. Bar 2 is a two five profession yet bird only outlines the 5 chord, the first 2 beats

are a A-7b5 followed by a F arpeggio with a #5 added for color. Bar 3 bird only plays the roots.

Bar 4 is a small pickup which leads to the last bar of music where bird plays a Bb arpeggiated

fragment with a C# passing tone.