BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
120 / 18210 · Module 4 — Triads, Inversions, and Voice Leading← prev⊞ allnext →

4.34Your first arrangement challenge

Take Happy Birthday or another melody you know extremely well.

First:

play melody only.

Then:

add root-position chords.

Then redo it, but:

  • keep melody on top
  • choose inversions below it
  • minimize movement
  • use left-hand bass roots

Do not worry about sophisticated harmony yet.

The goal is:

Same chords, but smoother voicing.

Record both versions.

The difference should be obvious.