BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
8522 / 18210 · Workshop 68 — Harmonic Rhythm as an Arranging Tool: When Chords Change, When They Don’t, and How to Create Momentum Without Adding More Harmony← prev⊞ allnext →

68.96Apply it to “Happy Birthday”

Phrase 1: slow harmonic rhythm.

Phrase 2: slightly more movement.

Phrase 3, the climax: increase harmonic rhythm with a secondary dominant or passing diminished.

Phrase 4: decelerate strongly.

Final tonic:

hold it.

This alone can turn a basic harmonization into a real arrangement.