Reharmonizing ii-V Cycles, Part 1
by Pablo Satek

When we talk about reharmonization of a piece we are actually referring to the concept of substituting some of the chords without changing the original idea of the cadence, i.e., if we are going to resolve to a Cmaj7, the substitutions we are making are still going to resolve to Cmaj7; we will simply arrive at the same resolution of the cadence by a different route.

There are four kinds of substitutions:

A - Diatonic Substitution by Tonal Groups
B - Tritone (flat-5) Substitution
C - Flat-3 Substitution
D - Coltrane Cycles

A - Diatonic Substitution by Tonal Groups

Developing 4-note chords based on the major scale, we find that some chords have a strong relationship between them.

When we compare the spelling of these chords we can see the notes they share in common and divide them into three tonal groups.

Within these groupings, each chord can be substituted by its partner(s):

B - Tritone Substitution

The tritone substitution is a dominant 7^th chord whose root is a tritone (flat-5 interval) away from the original dominant 7^th chord. The chords are interchangeable because the tritone interval pitches are identical in each. This substitution technique was developed in the bebop period.

     




Next month we'll explore flat-3 substitutions and Coltrane cycles.

In closing, here are the chords to part A of "Alice in Neverland".

If you reharmonize all the songs you know, you'll come up with a lot of new sounds that will lead you to fresh places in your musical journey.

Peace,
Pablo

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About the Author:
PABLO SATEK

Guitarist/educator Pablo Satek was born in San Fernando, BA, Argentina in 1973 and began taking guitar lessons at the age of sixteen. Inspired by the Beatles, he started his first band while in high school and played rock n’ roll and blues. His musical perspective was altered through listening to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane and he began to focus on jazz studies. Among his teachers were Sacri Delfino, Luís D’Agostino, Marcelo Kitai, Ernesto Jodos, and Pino Marrone.

In 1999 Pablo completed a degree in music at the I.T.M.C., a branch of the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Los Angeles. In Argentina, he also participated in clinics and workshops with Scott Henderson, Sid Jacobs, Armand Sabal-Lecco (Paul Simon’s bassist), John Stowell, and Robben Ford. Later he was fortunate to study briefly with Joe Diorio in Los Angeles, and John Abercrombie in New York.

Discography

2002 Pablo Satek- Solo Jazz Guitar (transcription book available from author)
2004 Beatles for Solo Guitar (transcription book available from author)
        PABLO SATEK in Concert
        Basic Triology

Besides his career as a solo musician Pablo performs with his trio S3JAZZ with Agustín Strizzi on drums and Martín Schavelzón on double bass. Pablo is a columnist for El Guitarrista magazine and can be heard on tours of North and South America and Europe where he appears as a clinician and performer in various jazz festivals. Pablo currently teaches at the I.T.M.C. in Argentina.

For more information about Pablo Satek, please visit his website at: www.pablosatek.com.ar