Verse composing – slow ballad.
Original Progression:
- C-7 C-7 F7
- C-13 C-13 F13
- D7 A7 F7
- C-13 F7 Bb7
Reharmonized Progression:
- Cm7 F7 Bbmaj7
- The original C-7 can serve as the ii (Cm7), F7 as the V, resolving into Bbmaj7 as the I in the key of Bb major for a traditional ii-V-I cadence.
- Gm7 C7 Fmaj7
- Substituting the C-13 with Gm7 (vi chord in Bb major) leading to C7 can resolve to Fmaj7 for another ii-V-I feel but in the key of F.
- D7b5 G7b9 Cm7 F9
- Use D7b5 and G7b9 to create a chromatic approach to Cm7, setting up another ii-V with F9 resolving back towards a tonic feel of Bb major.
- Cm7/Eb Ab7 Bbmaj7
- Start with Cm7 as a minor ii, use Ab7 as a tritone substitution for D7 leading smoothly into the I chord (Bbmaj7).
Explanation:
- The progression now centers more around the key of Bb major with carefully placed ii-V-I sequences to create smooth transitions.
- In the second set of chords, using Gm7 and C7, provides a temporary modulation to F major, offering an interesting shift back to Bb major.
- D7b5 and G7b9 introduce altered chords, creating tension that resolves through Cm7 and F9.
- The use of Ab7 as a tritone substitution adds a rich harmonic surprise before settling on the Bbmaj7 tonic.
I strive for richer harmonic palette while emphasizing the ii-V-I progressions in Bb major