Reharmonise is a musical term that refers to the process of changing the chords of a song or piece of music. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /riːhɑːmənaɪz/, where the first syllable is pronounced like the word "ree", the second syllable is pronounced like "harm", and the final syllable is pronounced like "eyes". The spelling of the word follows the typical English spelling rules, with the "e" after the "h" serving to indicate a long "a" sound.
Reharmonise is a verb that is typically used in the context of music theory and composition. It refers to the act of altering or modifying the harmonic structure or progression of a musical piece. This process involves changing or substituting the existing chords or harmonies with new ones, while still maintaining a coherent and pleasing overall sound.
In reharmonisation, the original harmony is reworked, rearranged, or transformed in order to provide a fresh perspective, add complexity, or create a different emotional or stylistic effect. The purpose of reharmonisation is often to enhance the musical arrangement, create tension and resolution, or explore new harmonic possibilities.
Reharmonisation can be done in various ways, such as changing chord qualities, adding extensions or alterations to existing chords, applying different inversions or voicings, or even completely replacing the original chord progression. It requires musical knowledge, creativity, and a keen ear for harmonic relationships.
Musicians, arrangers, and composers often reharmonise popular tunes, jazz standards, or classical compositions to create unique interpretations or arrangements. Reharmonisation is particularly prevalent in jazz music, as it allows for improvisation and exploration of different harmonic pathways.
In summary, reharmonise is the process of modifying or altering the existing harmonic structure of a musical piece in order to achieve a desired effect or to add complexity, creativity, or uniqueness to the composition.
The word "reharmonise" is derived from two main components: "re-" and "harmonise".
The prefix "re-" is of Latin origin and means "again" or "back". It is often used in English to indicate repetition, restoration, or reversal.
The main root of the word, "harmonise", comes from the noun "harmony", which originated from the Greek word "harmonia". It later entered Middle English via Old French. "Harmonise" in its verb form means to bring different elements together in a pleasing or coherent way. In the context of music, it refers to the act of adding chords or altering existing ones to create harmonic variations or a different musical interpretation.