Chapter XIII
Compositional Analysis and Reharmonization
Deconstructing the harmonic series, advanced substitutions and a practical case study
19.1 Deconstructing the Harmonic Series and Advanced Substitutions (SubV)
The harmonic series is the physical basis of all tonal harmony. Once we understand its structure, we can create advanced harmonic substitutions.
Tritone Substitution: G7 → Db7 (same tritone: B – F)
19.2 Practical Case Study: Reharmonizing a Simple Melodic Line
Original harmonization: Cmaj7 – Cmaj7 – Cmaj7 – Am7 – Am7 – Cmaj7 – Cmaj7
Advanced reharmonization: Cmaj7 – Em7 – G7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7
"Tonal music is a living system, feeding on physics, mathematics, history and human creativity."
— Renê Aparecido Bueno, Conclusion