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Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords.

Published: 02 Jan 2003 Updated: 10 Jun 2021 • Visits: 214 • Code: RMA1

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Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Product Code: RMA1
Author(s): Curt Sheller
Publisher(s): Curt Sheller Publications
Published: Jan 2, 2003
Updated: Jun 10, 2021
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-2-7
Size: 8.5 x 11
Pages: 88
Price: Hard Copy: $19.95
Price: PDF: $9 • FREE download for gold members

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.

Excerpt from Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Forward

The understanding of a chord's function within a chord progression or song is the first step in the process of scale selection for improvisation and creating melodies,as well as applying the principles of chords and scale substitution. It’s also the only way that can accurately be used to determine the correct name of a particular chord.

Introduction

This book focuses on the following:

Analysis of Chord Functions within Chord Progressions
Scale Selection Based on Chord Function
Chord and Scale Substitution Principle

The chord progressions in this book employ the principles that occur in Tonic-Dominant harmony used in the Jazz and Popular songs widely considered to be part of the "standard" jazz repertoire.

A special thanks to Chuck Anderson for many of the concepts put forth in this book. As well as Glen Hirabayashi with help in editing this second edition.

Basic Concepts

Harmonic Analysis (HA) is the process used to determine the harmonic function of chords within a chord progression, song or composition. A chord progression is defined as a sequence of chords, with each chord having a root and a particular chord type. The relationship of a chord's root to a scale determines its function within that scale's tonality. Once a chord's function is identified, scale selections along with chord and scale substitutions are made. We call this process Root Movement Analysis (RMA). 

Root Movement Analysis

Root Movement Analysis is the process of determining the root movement of chords within a chord progression, song or composition, the chord types as well as identifying tonal centers. This root movement can be determined and categorized using one of six harmonic principles and the harmonized chord charts contained in this book. These principles six harmonic principles will be covered in the next chapters. 

The Harmonized Chord Scale 

A chord, in music, is any harmonic set of pitches consisting of two or more (usually three or more) notes. The most common collection is created by the stacking of intervals of thirds. These thirds are a combination of major or minor thirds. These three note chords are called triads. Four notes make up 4-part chords, five notes make up a 5-part chord, all the way up to chords that include all the notes of the scale. These chords create a Harmonized Chord Scale that is used for a Root Movement Analysis. For the purposes of harmonic analysis this book uses triads and 4-part chords only...

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Introduction
Basic Concept
- The Harmonized Chord Scale
- Root Movement Analysis
The Six Harmonic Principles (Overview)
Full Diatonic
- Determining Tonality
Partial Diatonic
- Secondary Dominants
Internal Modulation
- Determining a Modulation
- Pivot or Double Function Chords
- Common Modulations
Unresolved
Chromatic
Cycle
Common Chord Functions and Progressions
- Common Major Keys
- Common Chord Progressions
- Chord's Harmonic Function
Common Harmonic Sequences
- Im ImL7 Im7 Im6
- Im7 Im7+5 Im6
- Picardy Third
- Chromatic Sevenths
- Confirmation Sequence
Scale Selection
- Vertical Scale Choices
- Horizontal Scale Choices
  - Full Diatonic Chords
  - Partial Diatonic
  - Internal Modulation
  - Unresolved
  - Cycle
  - Chromatic
- The Lydian Scale Uses vs Ionian Scale
Chord & Scale Substitution Principles
- Direct Substitutions
- Substitution Characteristics
  - Superimposed
  - Non Superimposable
  - Note Substitution
- Inversions
- Linking
- Re-harmonizations
- Diatonic Substitutions
  - Passive
  - Active
- The Minor Third Substitution Principle
  - bVII7
  - bII7
  - III7
Worksheet Examples
Harmonized Chord Charts
- Major Key
- Minor Key
- Harmonic Minor
- Tonic Minor
- Ionian
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Aeolian
- Locrian
- Blues Major
- Blues Minor
- Pentatonic
Summary
Index

The latest download ( PDF or eBook ) always has the latest changes and errata changes incorporated and contain the most up-to-date version of the file. If you download the book from LearningUkulele.com you'll be notified when there is a new version of the book available.

Errata

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

6/2/2006 - Updated ISBN number to new ISBN-13 number.
10/24/2004 - 20041024.1.1 - Fixed a few typos.
4/1/2004 - New color cover.
1/25/2004 - Several changes made and additional common progressions added. Version 200401252230
1/19/2004 - Page 78 Aeolian chord chart D Aeolian row wrong. All future versions of the book will reflect this change. Version 200401201100
4/12/2021 - Updated the Locrian chart header on page 81. Characteristics Scale Step the fifth (5th) of the scale not the second. This is also changed on the "The Modes Tonal Tendencies" page 74 of the charts section.
6/10/2021 - Page 17 - Line 1 of the first Key Center, Chord Function chart. The Dm should ne I IV7 bVII7maj7. Not I IV7 #Imaj7

Related Lessons

Related Lessons for Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution.

Harmonic Analysis Lesson Series • Updated: 06 Jan 2020

Harmonic Analysis ( HA ) is the process used to determine the harmonic function of chords within a chord progression. A chord progression is defined as a sequence of chords, each chord has a root and has a particular chord type. The relationship of a chord's root to a scale determines its function within that scale's tonality. Once a chord's function is identified, scale selections along with chord and scale substitutions can be made. This process is called Root Movement Analysis ( RMA ). This series of lessons are extracted from my book for use with individual private and on-line students. Each lesson directly corresponds the chapters in my book Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution by Curt Sheller (me).

Related Book Files, Resources and Assets

Related Assets for Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution.

A Guide to Advanced Chords Series - Chord Building Chart Updated: 31 Dec 2016

Key Signatures - Cycle of Fourths and Fifths Updated: 14 Oct 2019

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatues. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized.

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Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Updated: Jun 10, 2021

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.

Related Songs

Related Songs for Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution.

Any Song Will Do Updated: 07 Dec 2015

This is not really a song, but simply saying that for the purposes of a lot of the lessons and lesson series on this site ANY song will do for exploring the lesson's material and concepts presented in the lesson.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Harmonic Analysis is the process used to determine the harmonic function of chords within a chord progression or song. A chord progression is defined as a sequence of chords, each chord has a root and is a particular chord type. The relationship of a chord's to a scale determines its function within that scale's tonality.

Jazz Standard Chord Progressions Updated: 01 Jan 2003

These are the chord progressions, extracted from my book "Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele" for use with on-line and private students.

Common Chord Progressions and Remembering Songs Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Learning the similarities between chord progressions and songs helps you remember a lot of songs. There's a lot more in common between songs than one might think.

Understanding Intervals Updated: 01 Jan 2003

An interval is the distance between two notes. An interval has a name and a type. Intervals can be played one note (melodic) or two notes (harmonic) at a time, ascending or descending.

Comments

Comments regarding for Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution.

“Every so often a music theory book comes along that takes an approach so unusual and fun that even an ex-grad student can get excited about the subject. A book like this could make all the difference in the world for the kind of student whose eyes start to glaze over at the mere mention of the word 'theory.'” Ernie Rideout, Keyboard Magazine - Ernie Rideout, Keyboard Magazine

Chords can not be named out of context. They can only be named in the context of a chord progression or chord sequence and then only when the chord's harmonic function within that progression can be determined - Curt Sheller (me) That's the single most sensible statement about music that I've read in months, maybe years. Thanks, Curt. - John Kavanagh - The 4th Peg Parlor Room

Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books! - Peter Rhee

Curt’s repertoire consistently stretches the ukulele envelope by incorporating jazz, blues, and pop into a pleasantly entertaining mix. - Gerald Ross

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution - If you ask, When I'm playing a solo over a jazz song, how do I know which notes work at any point in the song?, then you may want to have a look at this book (Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution). You can glean this information from many sources, but this is a pithy, direct approach to the heart of the answer you're looking for. I would also suggest, for a broad, comprehensive, and beautifully written "Bible" on understanding jazz, Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book." - James K. Kroger, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, New Mexico State University

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Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution