Alone Together: The Dark Romance of the Minor ii-V-i
Alone Together is one of the most enduring 'dark' ballads in the jazz repertoire, composed by Arthur Schwartz for the 1932 musical 'Flying Colors.' Its haunting melody and sophisticated harmonic structure have made it a favorite for generations of jazz musicians looking to explore deep emotional landscapes.
Introduction: A Tonal Landmark
Analyze the harmonic innovation and cultural impact of Alone Together. This composition serves as a foundational study in Minor ii-V-i cadences and modal interchange..
Historical Context
Originally introduced in the Broadway revue 'Flying Colors,' Alone Together quickly transcended its theatrical origins to become a jazz standard.
Interactive Soloing Laboratory
Use the buttons below to visualize key harmonic moments on the fretboard and circle of fifths.
Harmonic Deep-Dive
The harmonic foundation of Alone Together is primarily built around the D Minor tonality, utilizing a series of minor ii-V-i resolutions that provide a circular, grounding feel.
Gm7 (iv)
Intervals: root, b3, 5, b7
Em7b5 (iiø)
Intervals: root, b3, b5, b7
A7alt (V)
Intervals: root, 3, 5, b7
Bbmaj7 (VI)
Intervals: root, 3, 5, 7
Recommended Resources for Alone Together
Sheet: D Minor
$5
Sheet: D Blues minor
$5
Bundle: All D Chords
$25
Bundle: All D Arpeggios
$25
Bundle: All D Scales
$25
Melodic Analysis
The melody of Alone Together is famously sparse and heavily reliant on the D minor pentatonic scale, but with the critical addition of the 'blue note' (the b5, Ab).
Rhythmic Foundation
The rhythmic heartbeat of Alone Together is traditionally a slow to medium swing 4/4.
Improvisation Strategies
When improvising over Alone Together, the most effective starting point is the D minor pentatonic scale.
Key Takeaways
The primary takeaway from studying Alone Together is the mastery of the minor ii-V-i resolution.
© 2026 Sheets Media Academy. All Rights Reserved.