Reharmonization & Chord Substitution - Start Here

[@fretjamguitar]

A special thank you to everyone who has supported me on Patreon over the years: bit.ly/3WPvNqY. 15% off annual membership and I'll continue to grow the membership benefits without changing the pricing. Your generous support is a big help and very much appreciated, even if it's a small donation. Thank you and let's keep learning! ❤

[@beachforestmountain4269]

Thanks for explaining this in a way that is easy to understand.

[@adriffstudio3088]

Please explaint the first example in the beginning of this clip (Bm-G#m7b5-Gm7-Am11-C#m9) Thank you.

[@davebowman6497]

I've picked up tons of YT videos on guitar playing, music theory, etc. Five minutes in, I am impressed by the no-nonsence style (No yadda-yadda 3 minute introduction, no "stay to the end for a surprise" etc). Talking tempo is great (but I'm over 60 and grew up with media where you could actually take in what is said and showed). No over-enthusiastic, half screaming voice - just calm and controlled so that viewer concentration can be on actual content. BRAVO!

[@fretjamguitar]

Really appreciate your acknowledgement of that!

[@Andygee1991]

I'm 33, so I'm incapable of understanding what he's saying due to his slow speech.

[@netomusic_br]

Agreed! 👍🏼

[@christopherellis2663]

​@Andygee1991 😂 I'm 75, and he's leaving a space for it to register.

[@Vospi]

3 minutes in, and, as a music teacher, I can definitely tell you've put your heart into it. Lovely work. Gonna follow along and see how you present the harder stuff. So far, it's very concise yet effective. Good luck in the future!

[@TauiTV]

He’s been doing this for yearsssss. Check out the website!!

[@darrylem6157]

I always skipped ur vids early in my musical career because I found them very daunting, but now that I've learnt a miniscule more, I see an abundant wealth of knowledge in them. Thank u sooo much for sharing ur wisdom! ❤

[@rigelloar7474]

I wish more musicians would take advantage of their harmonic freedom, but so many are unaware that they could enhance their music with such beautiful colors, and varied moods. I hope that your video will help them to realize the incredible expressive potential that reharmonizations make possible. Well done !

[@fretjamguitar]

That pretty much sums up what I'm aiming at (though we're still in early stages with this video). Thank you.

[@rigelloar7474]

@@fretjamguitar To my ear, the grand master of reharmonization was piano maestro Bill Evans. I recommend his work to anyone interested in harmony. His impressionistic sounds are simultaneously beautiful, mysterious, and paradoxical, like life itself . . .

[@fretjamguitar]

@@rigelloar7474 Absolutely love Bill Evans. Never fails to move me. It's other-worldly. His brother Harry also did some beautiful performances (some are still on KZbin) and you can hear the similarity in the unique way they both approached harmony. Great recommendation!

[@rigelloar7474]

@@fretjamguitar BbMaj7#11 !!!

[@mrwakacorp]

Dude, this video is absolutely brilliant! Straightforward, easy to understand, great visualization, great examples. Simply brilliant! Thank you!

[@fretjamguitar]

Really appreciate your comment.

[@allyndavis3717]

As a self taught music theorist (in theory!) the way you explain how I’ve been visualizing this idea really helps me solidify my natural understanding of if it in my head and I can’t thank you enough my friend

[@MizuRino]

I've been with you for the past 10 years, and I'll stay more. Thanks!

[@stevesatterwhite5141]

thanks so much for this great lesson. I am an old guy who wasn’t trained at a school, and this fills in lots of gaps.

[@ItalianSkate]

So happy the best teacher on youtube is back!! Thank you fretjam much love

[@kerseysguitarukulele1097]

Have been waiting for a thorough video on this topic, so glad its from Fretjam!

[@goryburk]

Thank You Mike. An absolutely fantastic lesson. The way you explain these principles make it so easy to comprehend.

[@rightguitarexperience]

More than true😊

[@duythinh252]

Man I love this video!. Straight to the point, without losing time in explaining some basic concept like other videos, it is just right for a guy that already have some basic music theory knowledge. Bravo!

[@riffmondo9733]

I have used this idea by what my ears heard but having it mapped out and explained was very helpful. Thanks.

[@waynejansen1221]

Are you as lazy as me? I’m too busy with my practicing execution instead of pencil and paper practicing. I stumbled across the 1/2 page “Chapter” in Ted Greene’s book called “ Chord Chemistry” about 30 years ago. It’s titled “Fundamental Harmony “. It’s 1/2 page long in a book with at least 75 pages of small chord diagrams showing countless ways to play most chords you’d never imagine existed or might use until… A year ago a YT video of him improvising by himself played the most “Virtuoso” (Joe Pass album) style playing I’ve noticed. Ted plays 40-60 minutes on a Tele(?) instead of the extremely modded Gibson on the cover of his first book. If you enjoy beautiful guitar you owe it to yourself to watch it. You haven’t seen anything close to his playing.!!!!! I don’t have time to link it here.

[@williammartin4416]

Thanks!

[@fretjamguitar]

Much appreciated, thank you.

[@gavinpeters9531]

Thanks so much.. this condenses a lot into a great reference for things I don't know well, and explains them so much more succinctly than any other way I've heard

[@cmberrian]

Awesome, you're back!!! Great topic too, thank you!

[@robertomighty4562]

Excellently conceived, structured and executed lesson. Kudos!

[@garyrochussen3430]

I am so greedy to learn! This is the best explanation of the concept of reharmonization I have seen yet! Thank you! Just subscribed and will be a grateful student. ❤

[@riffster4264]

The greatest 🎸 teacher on YT. Period

[@CandidCins]

FretJam!!!! Been following you on and off with my playing for years. Best resource for guitar orientated theory thanks for all you do G

[@fretjamguitar]

Really appreciate your time over the years my friend.

[@MrSonicAlchemy]

Awesome video as usual! Such a thorough yet concise explanation of basic chord substitutions.

[@Saferecorder]

I was struggling on how to harmonize a song now its clear thanks a lot sir

[@JohnMarcell]

Omg your back holy shit man perfect timing! Ive been goong thru a musical rough patch the last 3/4 months.

[@fretjamguitar]

Thanks mate. Sorry for the long break! Already working on the next video...

[@tdesq.2463]

Could have been worse. Could have been 6/8.

[@HardcoreOreider]

Finally a new Video from the best teacher on YT

[@alexloda7660]

This is gold when I get my first hit record because of this channel.I'll give you the one point four percent hello

[@fretjamguitar]

I'll hold you to that 😁

[@Mario-lj5xe]

I am very pleased to see your new video. You are very good at explaining and the content is always very interesting and informative. THANK YOU

[@fretjamguitar]

So glad it helped!

[@jason7590]

This is a topic I have been playing around with for a while, and as a composer it's the most fun you can have, options are endless.

[@aslazaimi5824]

you never disappoint and you never will

[@jeremiahlyleseditor437]

Excellent Tutorial. I'm saving the page so I can watch it again next week as a refresher. Thanks

[@santomalladi9]

Best Teacher Award Goes to this Teacher 🎉 ❤

[@drpena]

Fretjam is an amazing resource of guitar

[@delrosariocouple3074]

Finally I found the Brst Teacher on YT !Thank you so much’ I am learning ! Chhers from 🇯🇵

[@elephantricity]

best guitar teacher on youtube!!

[@voichi7128]

That F7 19:46 chord bit my ear. But like maybe that’s what one’s going for. It’s got that claw🔥

[@rightguitarexperience]

Always the best.Thanks Sir, my guitar teacher❤

[@forex922]

Great video, I appreciate the time and effort it takes to create content. Thank You

[@NaanFungibull]

This was excellent. Thank you for this content.

[@tatsuga1]

Best video is have seen regarding this topic. Thank you thank you

[@mridulnagrath32]

dude you are a genius teacher. Keep it up. U make it simple enough as if all this is nothing.

[@fretjamguitar]

Thank you for the very motivating comment!

[@ver-sauces]

there you go, i been waiting your vid man

[@edwardv4546]

Thank you so much. You made this make a lot more sense.

[@SvintMvrcus]

14:01 - 14:12 damn that sounded beautiful to me actually

[@SvintMvrcus]

I actually liked it more that the “harmonious” ones

[@syd502]

Great to see you back!

[@blackcitadel37]

worth every second of yours and our time 💗🔥🎼

[@tdesq.2463]

Cool! Phenomenal technique for not only modulation, but for the development of new parts and movements for Classical Comp ... not to mention its value as an exercise (an Etude) for learning the inter-relatedness of chords and identifying forks in the road, if you will.

[@TheObsessionHour]

Very thorough as ever! it is a lot to take in in 20 odd minutes but there are no better lessons on YT - thanks!

[@alexloda7660]

I know I already posted already this this is gold

[@Momentvm]

This is pure gold

[@Wick3DSteely]

Thank god you're back

[@alexandrecaxito9101]

Fantástico, precisamos mais dessas aulas, abraços do Brasil

[@loadding3160]

Woohooo!!! Thank you so much for this.

[@blmzndr]

Excelent music class! Was looking for something like this a long time ago 💜

[@ulusot]

I love Fretjam!

[@fretjamguitar]

I love you too

[@rightguitarexperience]

Same here❤❤❤

[@poison_corpse3140]

Thank you so much, we really appreciate your insights ❤

[@antonychennat4709]

Very useful lesson..excellent and Great.🤙

[@northernmonkey8652]

Very useful cheers. Good to see a new one from you

[@guitargod6997]

Excellent analysis.

[@josei.encinas1821]

Great video! Thanks!

[@sauravligal5809]

Thanks a lot fretjam 🍻

[@Jimmy_Antonio_Idrovo]

Thank you very much.... What a clear explanation 👌

[@matiasariel2487]

Amazing, man! Thank u so much 💪

[@massimoperrotti6115]

great job mate

[@kpuliatch]

well done much gratitude

[@coastercook]

Great lesson. Thanks

[@boristigrin]

Wooow amazing love it

[@emmanuelsolom7574]

Invaluable content simply explained yet deep in the theory. Thanks a lot, first video and made me subscribe

[@fretjamguitar]

Welcome my friend!

[@tomazkadis5456]

Thank you 100 X.

[@0volume]

Amazing 🎉

[@robmanzanares]

Thank you.

[@tdesq.2463]

Interestingly, I was just toying with "A Time for Us" on Guitar about an hour ago. I'm pretty sure Google activates my phone's mic whenever I start making noise.

[@el0blaino]

Excellent!

[@curtrod]

great instruction!

[@taniavoisin5922]

Hello to you, thank you very much for your work. Tania

[@fretjamguitar]

Hello! I appreciate your time.

[@keirswaine2183]

Clarity ❤

[@HiLifeVlgs]

Thanks a lot 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@Sheepcakezzz]

Daddy Fretjam

[@louistech112]

Oh yes he is 😩

[@meleecritical]

Did you find my DL? lol

[@DEDSREIS]

the GOAT!!

[@rightguitarexperience]

Greatest of all time😂 yeah... yeah...(but it sounds somehow Sha...)

[@hammingus]

GREAT! Looking forward for more episodes on this. Thanks!

[@williammartin4416]

You are the best

[@colinjames2469]

Great pacing

[@chrisharrison809]

Solid dude

[@alagna]

really really excellent explication well done

[@adamkhalil5524]

We have to stop trying to fit everything neatly in a box, the IIIm chord does not have tonic function because the tonic doesn't sit above the leading tone very well (though can if the voice leading is good, a la Moonlight Sonata first movement where over a Em/B chord we have a C melody note right on top and it's beautiful). IIIm also does not have dominant function. It has a leading tone, but it's the tritone relation of the 7 with the 4 that really supplies that, and the 4 doesn't work well over IIIm. It can be very useful in preceding the V chord. Depending on ones style V can substitute for iim, if you were Barry Harris for example where when they see a ii V progression they treat it as simply a V chord. Anyway the IIIm chord is kind of two things but really it's own thing. Diatonic reharm really works best when looking at the melody note and it's function, and finding the chords that support it, and doesn't rely on knowing what the original changes were. I say that because if you don't know the original changes let's say we had an original of C maj, but were unknowingly looking at a reharm that uses Am. And now we go to reharm in trying to make it F, then someone sees that and says oh, Dm should work. That and transcriptions usually get melody's correct, but can have faults in harmony, which means reharmonization can become problematic, but all can be avoided by working off of melodic notes.

[@fretjamguitar]

I think you're already several steps ahead of what this lesson intended to be a mere introduction to. I agree, Em is not necessarily a functional substitute for G resolving to C (or V-I) - I think I made a point in the video of dominant to tonic vs dominant in other situations. But with the progression C / G / Am / F, for example... Em can be a nice and simple diversion from G and still support the melody in a functional way. So there is at least a reliable opening there that can be replicated in diatonic situations. Most people watching this video, if they are looking for a back to basics process, won't yet be thinking in terms of working off of melodic notes. That is further down the line and I hope we'll come to that. When working purely off the melodic notes, things really open up (as you know). We're no longer in diatonic territory (I refer to the opening example). But I don't think that is something to try and break down in part 1 (of at least 5) in terms of the subject of reharmonization. On the final point, about reharmonizing the already reharmonized (e.g. C becomes Am, then Am becomes F, then F becomes Dm etc.) while it could work, that is not the convoluted process I suggested. When you're starting out with reharmonization, it's one chord at a time and it's easier to compartmentalize that way. Then we can maybe start to think about the shared notes of another possible substitution. It is a process and it does seem needlessly restrictive at first to those who may be more versed in it. But I want to make it a gradual process that at least offers some opening of options while not prematurely overwhelming anyone with "you could do this, and this, and this etc." Really appreciate your comment and honestly, it does help me to reassess how to approach relatively complex topics such as this one!

[@sixmillionaccountssilenced6721]

@@fretjamguitar How about Em7 as a sub for G13?

[@krosiumprd474]

Thank you !!

[@lostmylaundrylist9997]

Exellent!

[@TheFY-cb6eb]

Thank you

[@ChristopherDecenaZaozaoWang]

Great !

[@arcidiavolo]

very interesting

[@thomaswalker8790]

Great 👍👍👍

[@uffevonlauterbach]

You know KZbin is reading my mind when I was thinking about this earlier, and I was given a reharmonization video. Thanks for sharing this! I didn't know what this was called. Any possibility of non-diatonic reharmonization in the future?

[@fretjamguitar]

Absolutely. I use polls on Patreon to ultimately determine the next video but I definitely want to venture into non-diatonic substitution beyond parallel chord quality. I'll probably learn a lot myself along the way.

[@kappy4750]

melody at 1:12 sounded like thousand years

[@intiyupanqui6091]

excelent!

[@davidb5659]

Excellent lesson. Thank you. You explain things well and I understand what you’re doing - but I have a question. At 9:37 you substitute an FM7 for Dm7, although the first note of the melody is a D - the 6th of F and rather discordant. As a result, we hear the C D E F notes all played on top of one another for the entire first and relatively long beat of the phrase. A certain amount of discord is not only virtually inevitable but also a desirable part of harmonization. That said, it seems that a composer or arranger should use discord like a strong spice in the stew of a composition - sprinkled both judiciously and sparingly throughout a piece. I’d appreciate fretjam’s thoughts. Or from anyone with a good foundation in theory…

[@whydoesfishsaucesmellslike9982]

12:30 song idea

[@realkizuna]

amazing video

[@mindjob]

Forcing a major chord against a minor pentatonic scale with the same root is why rock is different than jazz

[@visakonakhro1688]

Long time❤

[@jacquescolmenero7760]

great..what else can I say.

[@hanhvu2993]

The sus9 chord. It's a bit confusing, but Asus9 can be written as G/A (A11?).