Four-Part Harmony

Definition

Four-part harmony refers to music written or performed with four different voices or parts - soprano, alto, tenor, and bass - each singing their own unique line but blending together harmoniously.

Analogy

Picture yourself at an ice cream shop where you can choose from four different flavors - vanilla (soprano), chocolate (alto), strawberry (tenor), and mint (bass). Each flavor stands out on its own but when combined, they create a delicious harmony of tastes.

Related terms

Counterpoint: The combination of two or more melodic lines that are independent yet harmonically interdependent.

Chord Progression: A sequence of chords played in a specific order, forming the harmonic foundation of a piece of music.

Voice Leading: The smooth and logical movement of individual voices within a musical composition to create pleasing harmonies.