This 8-bar phrase is built around the sound of Gmaj7, with particular attention to tension notes resolving to chord tones:
- C# → D (C# as chromatic approach to the 5th)
- A# → B (A# as leading tone to the major 3rd)
- G# → A (A is not a chord tone of Gmaj7 but functions as a consonant 2nd)
- D# → E (E is the 6th)
These chromatic movements, along with additional chromaticism in bars 5, 6, and 8, are characteristic of Bebop language.
The challenge with this type of melody is to push the boundaries of the key while retaining the tonality. The test for that would be to play the line A cappella and decide if the tonality is intact.
