Reharmonization 101

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Jazz pianist Jeremy Siskind discusses 4 (and a half!) reliable ways to reharmonize, add extra chords, and personalize the harmony of any jazz tune.

[@kenseidman409]

Very comprehensive presentation of the possibilities and you’re modeling the process of exploration and experimentation. Bravo!

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Ken! So glad you liked it! 😊

[@eky]

Let me just preface this by saying: I love your teaching, I watch every video religiously, transcribe your playing and steal all your licks 😂 But: I think you will create much more value by upgrading your video setup and adding exclusive content on Patreon rather than a book. The video format seems like your jam 👍 Keep at it man

[@JeremySiskind]

I'm glad you're loving the video content. I'll definitely take this under consideration - I've got some plans for the summer that might interest you!

[@musterionsurly]

Superb as always, and a great look at trying the ideas rather than the intimidating finished product.

[@JeremySiskind]

Great! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@jackmeginniss6327]

I bought your book earlier this year, but I didn’t realize that you were the author until you held up the book. It’s got some nice arrangements. The video was enjoyable too.

[@JeremySiskind]

Great! Are you sure you’re thinking of the right book? This one doesn’t really have “arrangements” in it - just musical examples. But, regardless, thanks for all the kind words!

[@jackmeginniss6327]

@@JeremySiskind Yes, it is definitely that book, but you are correct. I should have stated musical examples. It’s an enjoyable book to play through regardless and it was great to see something new in jazz piano books available.

[@JeremySiskind]

@@jackmeginniss6327 Got it! Cool! Small world. :)

[@joycehancock280]

Thanks for clearly laying the different options out there. They really add a lot to the tune.

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Joyce! I'm looking forward to hearing *your* reharmonization!

[@arpadternei6991]

Wow! Simply terrific! Thanks a lot Jeremy!

[@RobinJWheeler]

This is a great video! Lots of other videos explaining alterations don't explain actually deciding how to use them so clearly.

[@JeremySiskind]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@stuartheadey5240]

It was really useful to see you demonstrate these techniques. Thank you, Jeremy.

[@JeremySiskind]

Fantastic! I’m glad it was useful for you, Stuart!

[@DavidRattray]

Thanks for this clear and practical video Jeremy - I will check ut your website and buy your book- I look forward to the next videos!

[@JeremySiskind]

Fantastic! I look forward to sending you your autographed copy. :)

[@kareemakhtar6691]

There is so much here. Watched this multiple times. And your pedagogical style and approach is the best I’ve seen in music and jazz.

[@JeremySiskind]

Awesome! I'm so happy your'e finding the video useful, Kareem. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!

[@MrPaganiniN]

Great valuable lesson , love it very much, thank you Jeremy.

[@JeremySiskind]

Yay! I’m glad you like it!

[@pieceoffake7443]

Another great video!

[@JeremySiskind]

Thank you, thank you, David!

[@magc3520]

Thank you for presenting this valuable lesson visually and aurally. Super lovely!!

[@JeremySiskind]

My pleasure! I appreciate the comment!

[@robertomui333]

So good ! Thx man !

[@JeremySiskind]

Many thanks for watching, Roberto!

[@Jo-cl6ok]

Thanks Jeremy! I’m quite a visual learner so it really helped me when you wrote on the score for each example and then demonstrated. Going to try some of these tomorrow 👍

[@JeremySiskind]

Yay! Let me know how it goes!

[@michaelbates625]

Another fab lesson Jeremy! Thanks

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Michael! Have a great one!

[@lisaamusic]

Great as usual!

[@JeremySiskind]

Thank you so much, Lisa!

[@valoferriband]

You Sisking is crazy and you are a magician. I really like your videos. I learn a lot! 😊

[@JeremySiskind]

Haha thanks so much, Osvaldo! I’m glad you like the videos…I’ll try my hand at pulling rabbits out of a hat soon! 🐰 🎩

[@ronmoron]

Thanks so much for these videos. I have the book and am (slowly) working my way through it, but it's so much quicker this way. I don't think I'll ever master stride, but these substitutions are just about within my grasp!

[@JeremySiskind]

Awesome! Don’t get bogged down in the stride. It’s a lot and pretty technically difficult. I’d recommend grazing through the book to different chapters and sections of interest.

[@johnnyblue1101]

Really helpful lesson for an advanced student debt like me

[@samueldesouzamalaquias]

Awesome!

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Samuel! I hope you can use those tips!

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thanx, Maestro 🌹🌹🌹😎

[@JeremySiskind]

My pleasure!!!

[@stevenhupkens2053]

Great stuff! Can you make a lesson about playing standards (melodies) with quartal voicings? Thanks

[@JeremySiskind]

I did this for you! It's scheduled to come out June 29th. You might be able to preview it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3ubeKargsechaM (I'd really recommend "Jazz Piano Fundamentals, Book 3," which deals a lot with those kinds of questions)

[@theoooms7277]

Awesome video. I love harmony/chords/reharmonizing and learned a lot from this one. Thanks!! At the moment I am very much into the "Barry Harris method" which make you think more in movements, leading into unsuspected directions. Do you have any thoughts on this approach? Thank you one again!

[@JeremySiskind]

I don't claim to have a 100% understanding. I know he deals a lot with passing chords and especially the major bebop scale. I think that's all great! I don't think of that as reharmonizing, but adding in passing chords (although...the two concepts overlap, I guess). In short, I think it's great! Barry's a master!

[@demsi2004]

Great! Great! Great! Could You show again this method on the another example?

[@JeremySiskind]

If you’ve got the book, there’s a whole chapter on reharmonization along these lines (that actually includes quite a few more harmonic devices)

[@demsi2004]

@@JeremySiskind Yes, I have. Thank You. I've already read it, but when I saw it in the video, I understood better.

[@carmanmusic]

Great lesson! I'm curious about your digital notepad set-up. What program/workpad is that? Cool!

[@JeremySiskind]

It’s just an iPad. I use Forscore. I’m also running OBS in order to view multiple cameras/devices at once.

[@levarg91492]

Hello Jeremy, thanks for your video, and your book! It's been exactly what I've been looking for in my piano journey. I have a question about the '2-5' you mention at 17:14. Where does the half-dim B come from? I don't see that progression on the major or minor diatonic circle of 5ths.

[@levarg91492]

Actually I think I get it now... because the melody is a F, to match the melody, you flatten the 5th on B7 to get the half-dim. Is this correct?

[@HarmoniqMusiq]

Hello Jeremy. Do you have smth like a pdf with all that information about Reharmonization?

[@pianotubeleonbricht9635]

Thanks for all the reharm ideas! Can I ask you a question, I'm struggling to find good voicings for chords. I've read your book and its chapter about shared hand voicings but my hands aren't big enough! Is there any other voicings you would recommend using/ you use? Thanks, Leon

[@JeremySiskind]

Don’t let hand size stop you! You’ve got to get a good at rolling these big cords. All jazz pianist incorporate chords that have intervals as big as tenths. Some of us who don’t have giant hands are just really slick at doing fast rolls.

[@pianotubeleonbricht9635]

@@JeremySiskind all right! Thanks!

[@martini4AL]

Great video, Jer! cool way to use the digital format. Is that an iPad? Curious to know which software can do that. ;)

[@JeremySiskind]

Hi Martini Al! Yep - I’m using an iPad with the app Forscore. I’m running OBS to get multiple views in one.

[@martini4AL]

@@JeremySiskind Cool. Thanks Jer. I do have Forscore but because my lack of a stylus I am limiting myself to some nice manuscript tools. Your video explanations are very invaluable. You are a true Master!

[@RobinJWheeler]

Something I don't understand. Do these substitutions get decided or improvised? If you're playing with a band do you have to decide reharmonizations together or can the pianist play reharm while the rest of the band doesn't?

[@JeremySiskind]

Good question! There's some of both. It kind of depends on scale. As pianists, we're often adding small reharms to our comping with a band, or maybe some larger things on the spot if we're playing solo piano. But bands can also decide on new chords for a piece together. Sometimes, particularly at slower tempos in bands that trust one another, one player does a reharmonization and the rest of the band follows. The more people in the band, the harder this is to do!

[@JeremySiskind]

Good question! There's some of both. It kind of depends on scale. As pianists, we're often adding small reharms to our comping with a band, or maybe some larger things on the spot if we're playing solo piano. But bands can also decide on new chords for a piece together. Sometimes, particularly at slower tempos in bands that trust one another, one player does a reharmonization and the rest of the band follows. The more people in the band, the harder this is to do!

[@kwixotic]

Just curious if in the first four measures you could go from G Maj7-C7#11-G/B-Bb7-A7-Ab7-Db7-F#Maj7-Gmaj

[@JeremySiskind]

Yeah, that works. It's nice! I like the touch of the F#maj7 leading in by sidestep to the Gmajor at the end and also connecting tot he Db7 by 5th. Nice work!

[@kwixotic]

@@JeremySiskind Thanks for the feedback!

[@cemsinan2356]

hi .... it would be great if you could improve the image quality and use a program where we can see the cords.. thanks

[@JeremySiskind]

I appreciate it! I'm working to improve bit by bit. :) The chord program isn't going to happen, though - I'm playing a real piano. I'm a bit of a snob in that respect. :)

[@cemsinan2356]

@@JeremySiskind thank you very much for you interest .. thank you very much four you effort .. ıf we do not have any, it would be enough if we can see clearly how you play the chords

[@LEOCYTWOMBLY]

Hiiii, I'm the one who shredded a few fans sweating over your...... Everything, anyway, I'm wondering if you have an option on your website to buy every book you've written in like. A package deal?

[@JeremySiskind]

What’s up Leo! I don’t officially have a “package deal” but I’m happy to work something out with you individually. Why don’t you shoot me an email at [e-mail] and we will figure it out!