Reharmonization involves changing the harmonies behind an existing melody in order to give it an exciting new twist. Some basic techniques for reharmonization include changing triads to 7th chords, ensuring the melody has a good relationship with the new harmonies by representing chord tones, and using different chord functions through modulations and cadences. The document provides examples of reharmonizing the "Happy Birthday" song by changing it to a minor key version or arranging it in different styles like Latin, jazz or fusion.

1. Reharmonization
An Explanation Behind the Creativity
By Derrick Tate

2. So, what is it?
The meaning of reharmonization is to change the
harmonies behind the melody.
This is used to give the audience an exciting
twist to the music that they may already know
and like.
This technique also expresses the player’s
creativity and knowledge on melody-harmony
relationships.
Any tune that has already been composed or
written can be reharmonized. We will use the
Happy Birthday Song as an example throughout
the examples.

3. Basics for Reharm 1
The functions for the Happy Birthday song are as
shown below.
One simple step is to change the chords from
“triads” to “7th chords”.
This includes maj7, dom7, min7, and so on.
Keep in mind to make sure the chords are
functional.

4. Basics for Reharm 2
When reharmonizing a song, the melody has to
have a good relationship with the harmonies
behind it.
The melody shouldn’t create a bad tension or
dissonance with the harmonies.
The melody should represent chord tones and
available tensions of the chord changes that are
being changed.

5. Basics for Reharm 3
As said earlier, make sure the melody is in good
relationship to the chords behind them.
With this in mind, you can create room to use
different chords from the original works. You can
change the functions with these added chords,
using modulations, Cadences, etc.

6. Experimenting
Knowing what you know about melody-harmony
relationships, add different influences to your
song.
Go for a certain feel and stick with that emotion
to completely change the sound and color of the
song altogether.
Try making this Happy Birthday Song into a sad,
mellow arrangement. This can be done by
changing the key to minor. Sad Version

7. Arranging
Now that we can use emotion as a starting point
to reharmonizing, let’s make our song a different
arrangement and style.
Try choosing a style such as latin, jazz, fusion,
rock, and any other style that you have
exceptional knowledge in. This will stimulate the
creativity in reharmonizing your tune.
Use different sounds, lead instruments, or
anything you find that fits the style of your choice.
Fusion Arrangement

8. Keep Playing!
It doesn’t end here.
There are endless amounts of ways to express
yourself musically.
These are just basics to guide you in the
direction you want to go.