"Here, There and Everywhere" – A Beginner’s Guide to Reharmonization

Welcome to this beginner-friendly lesson on reharmonization using the classic tune "Here, There and Everywhere" by The Beatles. In this lesson, we will break down the A section of the tune and explore how to transform basic chords into richer, more colorful jazz harmonies.

Reharmonization is an advanced concept, but by starting with simple triads and 7th chords, we can gradually introduce reharmonization techniques like chord substitutions, sus chords, and tritone substitutions to add depth and variation to the original harmony.

Understanding the Difference Between Harmonization and Reharmonization

Before diving into the tune, it’s important to distinguish between harmonization and reharmonization:

• Harmonization refers to adding chords to a melody where none previously existed.
• Reharmonization involves modifying existing chords in a song while keeping the melody intact.

In jazz, reharmonization allows musicians to alter the mood and character of a song, making it more interesting while still preserving its essence.

Playing the Basic Chords – Triads & 7th Chords

We begin by playing the A section using simple triads:

• Key of Eb Major
• Chord progression: Eb to F- to G- to Abmaj
• The melody follows a diatonic path, making it easy to harmonize with basic chords.

To add more depth, we introduce 7th chords:

• Ebmaj7 to F-7 to G-7 to Abmaj7
• This simple modification already gives the song a more jazz-oriented sound.

Level 1 Reharmonization – Using Sus Chords and Diatonic Substitutions

The first step in reharmonization is to explore sus chords and diatonic progressions.

• Adding Suspended (Sus) Chords: Instead of a G7, try a G13sus, which delays resolution and adds an airy quality.
• 1-6-2-5 Progression: Instead of simply walking up the scale, replacing Eb to F- to G- to Abmaj with a 1-6-2-5 progression (Eb to C7 to F-7 to Bb7) creates a smoother transition.

These changes help soften the chord movement while keeping the song’s structure intact.

Level 2 Reharmonization – Tritone Substitutions & Chord Colors

One of the most effective tools in jazz reharmonization is the tritone substitution:

• Instead of a G7 chord, replace it with a Db7 (its tritone substitute).
• Instead of a Bb7, try E7 (another tritone sub), which leads back to Eb with a more colorful resolution.

We can also experiment with adding chord extensions:

• F-7 → F-9 or F-13
• Bb7 → Bb9sus

These substitutions and extensions enhance the harmonic complexity without making the tune unrecognizable.

Advanced Reharmonization – Backdoor 2-5-1 and Chromatic Dominant Motion

For a more sophisticated sound, we can introduce:

• Backdoor 2-5-1: Instead of a regular 2-5-1 (F-7 to Bb7 to Eb), try using F-7 to Bb7 to Abmaj7 before resolving to Eb.
• Chromatic Dominant Movement: Using a descending sequence of dominant chords moving in half-steps (e.g., Db7 to C7 to B7 to Bb7) creates a dramatic build-up.

These techniques push the harmony further into jazz territory while still complementing the original melody.

Applying Reharmonization to Performance

When applying reharmonization:

1. Start with the basic changes and make sure you’re comfortable with the song’s structure.
2. Introduce reharmonization gradually, making selective changes instead of altering every chord.
3. Use reharmonization to create variety when sections repeat—play a simpler version first, then add more complexity the second time.
4. Experiment with voicings like spread voicings, rootless voicings, and quartal harmonies to add texture.
5. Listen to recordings of jazz pianists like Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, and Brad Mehldau to develop an ear for reharmonization techniques.

5 Practice Tips for Reharmonization

1. Play through the basic triads and 7th chords to internalize the original harmony.
2. Experiment with sus chords and diatonic substitutions before introducing tritone subs.
3. Practice chromatic dominant movement by cycling through dominant chords descending by half steps.
4. Use pedal points (holding a static bass note) to explore how different harmonies interact over a single tonal center.
5. Analyze and transcribe recordings to see how professional jazz musicians approach reharmonization in real-time.

By the end of this lesson, you will have a deeper understanding of reharmonization techniques and how to apply them to jazz standards. Whether you’re playing "Here, There and Everywhere" or another tune, these concepts will allow you to express more creativity and musicality in your arrangements.

Happy practicing! 🎶