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Chromaticizing The Blues

Early in my career, when listening to a certain blues, I was simply awestruck by the reharmonization that had been applied to this basic progression. The arranger had made only slight harmonic variations, adding three chromatic chords, but this modification opened the door for me to a whole new world of harmonic possibility. Each new chord, regardless of its place in the harmonic rhythm, could tender a kind of freshness and add to the harmonic motion. These modifications led to a kind of epiphany. The presence of chromaticism implies the introduction of a wide range of color.

I came upon a handy protocol for adding chromatic movement. Here is the idea:

First, find a target note in a fairly ...

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