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Hi all,
I'm playing a melody now for quite some time already, I have the lyrics ready, and I want to harmonise it so I can play it with a small ensemble (piano, sax, bass, voice, NO drums
)
One problem : I just don't figure the chords. Somehow I must have written it with different tonal centers or so, because I can't just use one scale and derive the chords from there (I know the classic function of I to VII etc.). I hear a vague harmonisation in my head, but I can't find it when using Sibelius and trying out chords.
I tried to work with functions : writing down the scales I believed were to be played over the chords underlying this melody, but also that way I couldn't really pick the chords. I also payed attention to the function of the chords in different keys, but that only confused me more. Applying the basic rules like "no IV after a V, a III and a I have the same function, a IV and a VI (right?), a V and a VII too" in combination with typical cadenses (I-IV, I-V, II-V-I etc.) didn't work either.
So I'm pretty much lost. Anybody a fresh view on an approach to harmonise a melody for beginners?
I'm playing a melody now for quite some time already, I have the lyrics ready, and I want to harmonise it so I can play it with a small ensemble (piano, sax, bass, voice, NO drums
One problem : I just don't figure the chords. Somehow I must have written it with different tonal centers or so, because I can't just use one scale and derive the chords from there (I know the classic function of I to VII etc.). I hear a vague harmonisation in my head, but I can't find it when using Sibelius and trying out chords.
I tried to work with functions : writing down the scales I believed were to be played over the chords underlying this melody, but also that way I couldn't really pick the chords. I also payed attention to the function of the chords in different keys, but that only confused me more. Applying the basic rules like "no IV after a V, a III and a I have the same function, a IV and a VI (right?), a V and a VII too" in combination with typical cadenses (I-IV, I-V, II-V-I etc.) didn't work either.
So I'm pretty much lost. Anybody a fresh view on an approach to harmonise a melody for beginners?