Harmonic Reflections (Altered Refractions) + backing track

Harmonic Reflections (Altered Refractions) + backing track

The main concept behind the Harmonic Reflection approach for chordal substitution and coloration involves literally reflecting or mirroring the diatonic degrees and harmonies of a scale across its root axis.

The new Harmonic Reflection of such scale will contain a different key signature as well as a whole new set of diatonic chords but across the axis of reflection we can substitute or use together the same diatonic degrees/harmonies of both scales.

Once we extract the new set of reflected/mirrored diatonic harmonies we can freely substitute them or use in conjunction with their regular versions from the original key.

In this short study we will concentrate on the Altered Dominant chord and its parent melodic minor scale.

Here I use all the diatonic harmonies of the C melodic minor scale to represent a “B7alt” chord (the Super-Locrian mode of the key) and then I use all the diatonic chords from the Harmonic Reflection of the same scale as coloring and contrasting harmonic tools against the “B7alt.”

This approach can provide us with 13 different harmonies to explore over any given altered dominant and really help us find the perfect balance of chordal consonance/dissonance. 

For more info please e-mail: hristo@hristovitchev.com