Reharmonization Techniques

Reharmonization is the musical equivalent of a new paint job on an old car. When you reharmonize a tune, you give the melody new color by changing its underlying harmonics. Whether you write film scores, direct a band or choir, or play solo piano or guitar, you will find simple and innovative techniques to update songs and develop exciting new arrangements.

Learn reharmonization techniques such as:

• Simple Substitution: substitute chords with others in the same harmonic family to vary tunes while maintaining their original color
• Diatonic Approach: reharmonize with chords from a single key to create a harmonic change for most standard jazz and pop contexts
• Adding Dominant and Subdominant Chords: use these chords, or their tritone substitutions, to create sophisticated harmonic sounds
• Harmonic Displacement: relocate important cadential points in a phrase to create open space to fill with new chords
• Modal Interchange: borrow chords from common minor keys to darken the harmonic color of phrases
• Working with Bass Lines, Turnarounds, Extended Endings and Modulatory Interludes, Diminished Seventh Chords, Hybrid Chord Voidings, and other advanced patterns to give your music a unique sound

Read a Sample Chapter

Reharmonization Techniques sample chapter

About the Author

Randy Felts has been a professor of jazz harmony at Berklee College of Music for over twenty-five years. He performs regularly on saxophone, flute, and Synthophone in contexts ranging from classic 1960s rock to original jazz and pop music. He is the U.S. representative for Softwind Instruments.

BUZZ

"Randy Felts takes the mystery out of reharmonization. From basic concepts to advanced techniques, Randy's clear explanations and logical approach to an often mystifying subject can help composers and improvisers introduce new colors and rejuvenating energy to their music." - Bruce Ronkin, Chair, Department of Music, Northeastern University

"Felts calls this his 'musical tool box' and he certainly nails it. Beginners or pros will wrench ideas from every page, as Randy hammers home his points with a clarity that doesn't screw up your brain. The well conceived drills will clamp these harmonic techniques firmly to every student, and the many musical examples put together the musical jigsaw." - Richard Niles, Arranger/Producer (Paul McCartney, Cher, James Brown, Joe Cocker, Pat Metheny)

Sample Lessons on Berklee Shares

Samples from this title are available on Berkleeshares.com, where you can download free music lessons and share them with your friends.

• Simple Substitutions (PDF lesson)
  
• Basic Piano Voicing Techniques (PDF lesson)
  
• Line Cliches (PDF lesson)