96.156Apply conceptually to “Mack the Knife”

Use a legal lead sheet or melody you already know.

First chorus:

do not imitate sophisticated arrangement.

Reduce to:

melody

simple bass

basic function.

Then ask:

Where are true cadences?

Where can harmony remain longer?

Where is bass movement characteristic?

Only later add:

walking

secondary dominants

chromatic approaches

modulations.

The test is:

can you accompany the tune in a new key without memorizing every voicing?