10021 / 18210 · Workshop 82 — Symmetrical Harmony and Harmonic Geometry: Diminished Cycles, Augmented Triads, Whole-Tone Motion, Major-Third Systems, and Escaping Ordinary Tonal Gravity← prev⊞ allnext →
82.114Apply it to “Happy Birthday”
Use the melody clearly first.
On a later variation:
Phrase 1: ordinary C major.
Phrase 2: brief C→C+→F transformation.
Phrase 3: at climax, use a diminished or G7♭9 approach.
Phrase 4: simple C.
Or create a comic “dream sequence” interlude using C whole-tone before returning to the plain melody.
Because the tune is so familiar, the symmetrical excursion is easy to hear.