'Andrea's Piece' for Solo Vibraphone was composed in April 2025 by Franz Bauer. 

Rhythm Changes Harmonic Vocabulary – Part 3: Exploring Further Harmonic Detail

In this third installment of our rhythm changes harmonic vocabulary series, we continue to deepen our approach to both harmony and rhythm within the first A section. This lesson blends familiar elements with new twists, helping you refine your sense of phrasing while introducing a few sophisticated harmonic choices.

Rhythmic Overview

Great set with Red Norvo. Check out how far he chokes up on the mallets! 

Part 2: Exploring Articulation and Harmonic Detail
In this second lesson on rhythm changes harmonic vocabulary, we shift our focus to articulation and rhythmic variety within the first A section. The exercise begins by introducing the classic Charleston rhythm in the first four measures—a foundational comping figure that adds a strong sense of groove and forward momentum.

I know this is up on the site, but why not put it up again since it's Mainieri!! 

He's playing solo 3 days after 9/11 because the rest of his band couldn't fly. Good for us! 

This vid is very cool.

Rhythm Changes - Harmonic Vocabulary on the A Pt. 1

In this series, we’ll explore harmonic vocabulary for comping over the A sections of rhythm changes. In Pt. 1, we start with a common and widely used set of standard changes, providing a strong foundation for comping.

One key concept in this approach is treating the top note of each chord as a melodic line—essentially harmonizing a simple, stepwise motion. This helps create a natural, connected flow between voicings rather than thinking of each chord in isolation.

So here is the second of three chord melodies. 

I have the pdf and I have the MalletKat version. You can hear basically what's happening with the sheet music. 

I think you can get a lot out of this. You have to know the chords and inversions really well. I think when I just play the lines it makes sense and you here the harmony. That's the goal right. I will post my own version of stella asap. 

In this section, we continue with the F#7–B7–E7–A7–D7–G7–C7–F7 progression in measures 1-4, but with a simplified rhythmic approach. Rather than relying on continuous eighth-note lines, this version demonstrates how to outline the changes effectively with more space and varied rhythmic phrasing.

Here is a chord melody to Just Friends. I put up a quick audio version which is similar to the pdf, but I just wanted to do my thing, which is partly on the pdf! Right? It changes each time I play it, in little ways. 

I left the pedaling off, you know what to do with the pedaling, make it sound good. You don't want notes running together.