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Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords.
Book/Chart Product Info
Product Code: RMA1
Author(s): Curt Sheller
Publisher(s): Curt Sheller Publications
Published: Jan 2, 2003
Updated: Jun 8, 2024
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-2-7
Size*: Book ANSI A (8.5 x 11 in), PDF A4 (210 x 297 mm)
Pages: 88
Hard Copy Price: $19.95
PDF Price: $9
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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
2023 Update: Checkout the related LESSONSeries : Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection . This series contains the latest updates as well as additional web only material that is not in the latest edition of the book.
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...
Table of Contents
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
- VI7 - V of II
- VII7 - V of III
- I7 - V of IV
- II7 - V of V
- III7 - V of VI
- Chained Secondary Dominant Cycles
- Diminished Chords?
- Determining a Modulation
- Pivot or Double Function Chords
- Common Modulations
- Common Major Keys
- Common Chord Progressions
- Chord's Harmonic Function
- Im ImL7 Im7 Im6
- Im7 Im7+5 Im6
- Picardy Third
- Chromatic Sevenths
- Confirmation Sequence
- Vertical Scale Choices
- Horizontal Scale Choices
- Full Diatonic Chords
- Partial Diatonic
- Internal Modulation
- Unresolved
- Cycle
- Chromatic
- The Lydian Scale Uses vs Ionian Scale
- Direct Substitutions
- Replacement
- Expansion
- Substitution Characteristics
- Superimposed
- Non Superimposable
- Note Substitution
- Inversions
- Linking
- Re-harmonizations
- Diatonic Substitutions
- Passive
- Active
- The Minor Third Substitution Principle
- bVII7
- bII7
- III7
- Major Key
- Minor Key
- Harmonic Minor
- Tonic Minor
- Ionian
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Aeolian
- Locrian
- Blues Major
- Blues Minor
- Pentatonic
Get The Latest Version
The current, latest PDF or e-book always has the latest changes and errata incorporated for the most up-to-date version of the file. If you downloaded the book from LearningUkulele.com, you're most likely eligible to get the NEW version of the book FREE, or just let me know if you need the latest version.
Errata
Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
- 2024-06-08 - New A4 size and updates and a few new additions.
- 2021-06-10 - Page 17 - Line 1 of the first Key Center, Chord Function chart. The Dm should ne I IV7 bVII7maj7. Not I IV7 #Imaj7
- 2021-04-12 - 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.
- 2006-06-02 - Updated ISBN number to new ISBN-13 number.
- 2004-10-24 - 20041024.1.1 - Fixed a few typos.
- 2004-04-12/ - New color cover. Version 200401252230
- 2004-01-25 - Several changes made and additional common progressions added.
- 2004-01-19 - Page 78 Aeolian chord chart D Aeolian row wrong. All future versions of the book will reflect this change. Version 200401201100
Not Really an Errata Item
I, Curt just dug up my handwrittem RMA chords of a bunch of songs and scanned them for historical or historical purposes - your call ;-).
Get The Latest Version
The current, latest PDF or e-book always has the latest changes and errata incorporated for the most up-to-date version of the file. If you downloaded the book from LearningUkulele.com, you're most likely eligible to get the NEW version of the book FREE, or just let me know if you need the latest version.
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 Lesson Series
Related Lessons Series for Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
.
Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection
Updated: 09 Jun 2023
Harmonic Analysis (HA), also known as the study of chord relationships, is the method used to identify the harmonic role of chords within a chord progression or song. A chord progression refers to a sequence of chords, with each chord having a root note and belonging to a specific chord type. The function of a chord within a particular scale's tonality is determined by its relationship to that scale.
Common Chord Progressions and Remembering Songs
Updated: 17 Mar 2025
Understanding the similarities between chord progressions and songs can greatly enhance your ability to remember and play a wide variety of songs. It's fascinating how much common ground (chord harmony) exists among different musical compositions.
Related Books & Charts
Related Books for Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
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Updated: 08 Dec 2021
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.
A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.
These are books & reference charts that apply to a majority of all lessons on LearningUkulele.com / Learning Ukulele with Curt.
Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
Reference Charts
Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes
A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A), A4
Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
Related Songs
Related Songs for Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
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Related Book Files, Resources and Assets
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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