Welcome to the world of Piano Reharmonization! If you had the imagination to think that switching around chords was just for jazz musicians and overly ambitious composers, think again! In this riveting masterpiece (or should we say master-chordpiece?), Rosa Suen reveals how to take our beloved "Away in a Manger" and throw it into a musical blender filled with secondary dominants and sparkling chords.
Now, you might be wondering: what on earth is a secondary dominant? Great question! It's basically like the spice of life in the world of chord progressions. Imagine if your vanilla ice cream had a dash of cinnamon-suddenly, it's not just any dessert; it's an experience! Secondary dominants (a.k.a. the II7 and VI7 chords) are like giving the original song a little kick, putting it in a more exciting light, and making everyone wonder how you pulled that off.
Suen cleverly organizes this practical guide into digestible sections. She doesn't just expect you to dive straight into the chord ocean without a life vest. No, no! She meticulously walks you through the basics before you even think about attempting to swim with the sharks. She gives you plenty of examples, so by the time you're done, you'll be playing "Away in a Manger" like it's the latest pop hit. Spoiler alert: you might just want to make some real estate in your living room for all the admirers you're going to have by the end of this!
Throughout the 42 glorious pages, you are treated to a cornucopia of insights. We're talking about how to spruce up your playing, introduce new voicings, bring in those flavor-packed secondary dominants, and swoon your friends and family who still think the only good music is found in contemporary Christmas carols.
Oh, and don't forget the practical exercises! As much as we love theory, it's all about applying it too. That's where the magic happens. You'll get to party with the II7 and VI7 in different contexts, making sure you can wow everyone at the next holiday gathering!
So, grab this guide if you aim to elevate your piano game to something that resembles a musical rollercoaster. Rosa Suen is your conductor on this whimsical journey, and before you know it, you'll be the one black sheep who dares to turn simple carols into harmonic tell-alls that will leave the crowd wanting more. Just be cautious about the massive expectations you set-friends and family will start assuming you're a concert pianist after a couple of weeks!
In conclusion-think twice before diving into this world of reharmonization. You may just end up being the family's designated carol-slinger - but hey, who doesn't want to be the life of the holiday party? Get those fingernails polished and take a seat at the piano; the world of secondary dominants awaits!
Maddie Page
Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.