Harmonising Step-Wise Melody Lines
Welcome to this 5 minute masterclass on harmonising step-wise melody lines. We are going to take the well-know tune “In A Sentimental Mood” and look at the different options we have available to harmonise the ascending melodic motif at the start of each A Section.
We will explore the 4-way-close, drop 2 voicings, passing chords, and finally reharmonising the melody with quartal voicings.
Why would we want to use this you might ask?
Well these techniques are optional things you can do to enhance, tweak, or even completely change the sound of the melody.
The reason I’ve chosen this tune is that the same ascending melodic figure repeats 3 times in the head of the tune and understanding these concepts will allow you to add a variety of colours, textures, and expression to an otherwise identical melody line.
The 4-Way-Close & Drop 2 Voicings
The 4-way close is a method to harmonise a step wise melody line with alternating 7th chords and rootless dominant b9 chords. For each chord tone we simply play the root position 7th chord with the top of bottom note doubled.
For none chord tones, we simply build a diminished chord with the top and bottom note doubled.
We can then create a more open sounding voicing by dropping the second note into our left hand.
Add Passing Chords
We can introduce a passing chord for the last note of the ascending line to create a stronger sense of resolution into the next bar. We can use the normal V7 chord, or alternatively, the tritone substitution.
Reharmonisation
A more complex option is to rehamonise the whole passage. I like to do this So What Chords. The So What Chord is a quartal voicing which are harmonically ambigious – making them well-suited to rehamonise melodies.
It’s now over to you to apply these concepts to the tunes you are playing. If you do have any
questions with the material I have covered, just drop it in the comment box below.
Lesson Downloads
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Harmonising Melodies Lesson Notation File Type: pdf
Related Lessons
In this lesson I explain what drop 2 voicings are, how to construct them and how to practice drop 2 so that you are familiar with them in all 12 keys.
Block chords are used for harmonising a melody line by moving the notes of the chord in parallel, following the same rhythm as the melody.
Duke Ellington’s ‘In A Sentimental Mood’ is one of the most recognisable jazz ballads. The tune is very accessible and a great for beginners.
Practice Tips
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Harmonise any step wise melody line by alternating 7th chords and rootless dominant b9 chords. This is known as the "4-way-close".
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Take this a step further by dropping the second to top notes into your left hand. This is known as "Drop 2 Voicings"
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Drop 2 voicings have a more modern & sophisticated sound. We now have a different interval structure in between the notes of the voicing.
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Experiment with passing chords to create a stronger sense of resolution into the next bar.
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A final option is to reharmonise the whole passage. So What chords are particularly useful for this as demonstrated in the lesson.
- You can find a dedicated jazz standard lesson on this tune, and also check out the related lessons above for more information on the 4-way close and drop 2 voicings.
