This week it was 25 years since the TV show The Sopranos premiered. I love this show, but I only recently finished it. Maybe it was dreading the end that made me take years to finish the six seasons. And I must say: now that it is over, I’m missing these terribly flawed but fascinating characters.
In today’s blog post, I’ll be sharing my reharmonization of the Sopranos Theme Song (actually called “Woke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3). Specifically, I’ll show you how I used tritone substitute dominant chords to reharmonize the melody.
But first, let’s give The Sopranos Theme Song song a listen:
Step 1: Transcribe the Melody and Basic Chords
First things first, let’s transcribe the melody of The Sopranos Theme. Once you have the melody down, write out the basic chords that accompany it. This step lays the foundation for our reharmonization process:
Step 2: Rearrange the Voicings
Next, let’s make these chords more interesting. We’ll rearrange the chord voicings, adding some voices in your right hand, supporting the melody, and creating a fuller bass line using octaves. I think this sounds much better than step 1:
Step 3: Add Tritone Substitute Chords
What’s a bit tough about this theme for reharmonziation purposes, is that both the melody and the chords are somewhat static. The whole song really just hangs on Fm7 and Bb/F. This can make it difficult to find additional harmonies that sound natural. A great way to still add some color and additional tension is by using tritone substitutes. These are chords that can be used in place of dominant chords to lead into a target chord, by taking the root of a half step above your target chord. For instance, you can add a B7 chord to resolve into a Bb7. This technique adds a surprising twist to the progression and enriches the harmonic landscape of the piece (for a more specific tutorial on tritones, check out this tutorial)
Step 4: Add More Tritones and Rhythmic Variations
In this last step, we’ll add even more tritone substitutions (like C7 resolving to B7). Now you can also introduce some rhythmic variation in your accompaniment. This creates an even richer and fuller version of the song, with more of a groove:
Full Version
Below is my full piano arrangement of The Sopranos Theme Song, using tritone substitutes but also additional techniques like quartal voicings and parallel harmonies:
Conclusion
And there you have it! A reharmonized version of The Sopranos Theme with tritone substitutes, adding new flavors and textures to this great song. This process shows how a few changes can transform a piece, breathing new life into a familiar melody.
Remember, reharmonization is about experimentation and personal expression. I hope this guide inspires you to try your hand at reharmonizing your favorite tunes. Happy playing!
As always, make sure to grab my free Reharmonization Quick Guide for 5 essential steps to any reharmonization.
