BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
7925 / 18210 · Workshop 62 — Harmonic Side-Slipping: Chromatic Planing, Approach Chords, Outside Playing, Semitone Detours, and Returning Home Without Sounding Random← prev⊞ allnext →

62.94Apply it to “Happy Birthday”

Keep the basic melody clear.

Phrase 1: normal harmony.

Phrase 2: one fill side-slips up semitone.

Phrase 3: repeat a recognizable melody fragment one semitone higher as a surprise.

Phrase 4: return completely inside.

The trick works precisely because everybody knows what “inside” sounds like.