BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
8830 / 18210 · Workshop 71 — Countermelody and Inner-Line Arranging: Writing a Second Voice That Supports the Tune Without Fighting It← prev⊞ allnext →

71.102Apply it to a ballad

For any ballad:

main melody high.

counterline middle.

bass sparse.

Allow:

chromatic inner motion

suspensions

delayed resolutions

contrary movement.

This is one of the clearest paths from “lead-sheet pianist” to “arranger.”