Reharmonization of a Simple Melody
“Reharmonization” refers to the process of changing a melody or its chords. This can be done with any melody or accompaniment.
The goal, however, is still to make it possible to recognize the original melody. You don’t want to create something new, but rather modify something that already exists.
Here, I’ll show you a few simple ways to reharmonize a well-known song: Happy Birthday!
Bebop Reharmonization
I’ve already covered this topic before, specifically here: Harmonic Analysis. To keep it simple and avoid thinking in dominant 7th chords, we’ll just use major chords.
In summary, this means that we replace the chords with the b2, 5, or b7 degree in major, or delay them. So, theoretically, we could play a Db major, Bb major, or G major chord instead of the first C major chord. Of course, the melody would remain the same.
The problem is that this approach would limit us quite a bit. To expand on this, we could play a minor chord a fifth higher from each of these replaced degrees.
To summarize again:
C major is our starting chord. From this, I can take the b2, 5, or b7 degree as a replacement chord in major. From these replacement chords, I can then take a minor chord from the 5th degree.
Example: C (major) -> b7 degree of C (major) would be Bb (major) -> 5th degree of Bb (major) would be F (minor).
Since this version sounds a bit wild, we could simply omit some of these wild chords and make it less stressful. This way, it doesn’t sound so bad.
The notes for this can be downloaded on my Patreon.
Harmonic Substitution
The first, third, and fifth stages belong to the “Tonic Area” and can be exchanged with each other without any bad conscience.
So, for the C in “Happy Birthday”, a simple Em could also be played. Em is the third stage of C major.
This doesn’t quite fit the song now, but the same can be done with the second and fourth stages. And with the fifth and seventh stages.
However, the voicings must be strictly observed here, because you always have a good view of which tone should be the highest and the chords can be played from any bass string.
Drop2 chords are best suited for this, because you always have a good view of which tone should be the highest and the Drop2 chords can be played from any bass string.
For example, simply like this:
By the way, the notes for this can be downloaded on my Patreon.
