8419 / 18210 · Workshop 67 — Bass-Line Reharmonization: Creating New Harmony by Designing the Bass First← prev⊞ allnext →
67.91Apply it to “Happy Birthday”
Instead of changing the melody, keep it entirely familiar.
Phrase 1: simple tonic bass.
Phrase 2: C-B-B♭-A-type descent where appropriate.
Phrase 3: more active bass to support the climax.
Phrase 4: Dm-D♭-C-type chromatic final approach.
The arrangement becomes sophisticated even with relatively conservative upper harmony.