Published:
2012-04-06
Updated:
2026-09-21
Learning Ukulele with Curt
Harmonic Analysis - Chromatic
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song, or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution. This lesson covers the Chromatic harmonic principle.
Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Code: MLRMAe-8
Main Category: Theory Main Instrument: Any
Categories: Chords, Harmonic-Analysis, Chromatic, Enharmonic Equivalents
2026-08-23
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Number of Pages: 4
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Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.
This lesson covers the Chromatic harmonic principle.
This series, is the book Harmonic Analysis for Chord Substitution and Scale Selection by Curt Sheller broken out into individual lessons with additional examples and content. Always, the latest version of the book.
Chords ascending or descending by Chromatic half steps between roots. The root and species are NOT in the harmonized chord chart.
WORKSHEET NOTATION: Label these chords with a flat or sharp, UPPERCASE roman numeral, and chord type using the Roman numeral of its unaltered scale degree. The tonality or key center does not change.
Using the above chord progression and the Major Harmonized Chord Chart we see a II V I in the key of C major. But – what about that Eb7. The root Eb is not in the key of C major. An Eb7 chord is V , the dominant chord in the key of Ab Major or Ab Minor . The progression has not modulated the a new tonal center. This chord is functioning as a Chromatic connection from Cmaj7 to Dm7 . Label this chord as a bIII7 chord.
More Harmonic Analysis - Chromatic
content below, continue exploring...
More Harmonic Analysis - Chromatic
Example 2
Using the previous chord progression and the Harmonized Chord Chart(s) , the Roman numerals I bIII7 II bII7 would be applied.
Example 3
Using the previous chord progression and the Harmonized Chord Chart(s) , the Roman numerals III bIII7 II bII7 would be applied.
Chromatic chords are sometimes a result of using the Minor Third Substitution Principle to be covered in a later chapter.
Try these Chromatic Major chord progressions in various major keys.
NOTE: See the Secondary Dominant section of the Partial Diatonic chapter for information on Diminished chords.And, why they are not always Diminished chords.
Common Chromatic Chords
Common chromatic chords with their Enharmonic Equivalents .
♭II -or- ♯I
♭III -or- ♯I
♭V -or- ♯IV
♭VI -or- ♯V
♭VII -or- ♯VI
Song Examples
Most folk, rock and blues songs remain in one key. Many Jazz and Pop standards will modulate to new key centers.
Jazz Classics
Four
2nd ending
III bIII7
Groovin' High
2nd ending
III bIII7
How High The Moon
2nd ending
III bIII7
Michelle
bar 3
bVII7
bar 4
bVI7
Moonlight In Vermont
bar 4
bVII7
Michelle
bar 1 - 8
III bIII II bII
bar 5 of coda
bIIImaj7
bar 7 of coda
bIImaj7
Checkout the Songs section of LearningUkulele.com , as many of the songs examples above are available.
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.
