43.86Apply it to “Happy Birthday”

Now we can make one of the strangest—but most educational—versions yet.

Put the melody in 9/8.

Use:

2+2+2+3

as accompaniment structure.

Do not merely stretch every original note mechanically.

Rephrase.

Intro

bass establishes additive rhythm.

Phrase 1

melody fits grouping clearly.

Phrase 2

melody starts crossing group boundaries.

Phrase 3

3+3+3 cross-rhythm creates climax.

Final phrase

return to obvious 2+2+2+3.

Ending

final rhythmic tag.

This transforms the tune at the metrical DNA level.