Harmony

Definition

Harmony refers to the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to create a pleasing sound. It adds depth and richness to music, providing a background that supports the melody and contributes to the overall emotional expression of a piece. In various musical contexts, harmony can also influence the texture, as it interacts with other musical elements such as rhythm and timbre.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Harmony can be categorized into two main types: consonance, which sounds stable and pleasing, and dissonance, which creates tension and requires resolution.
2. The role of harmony in music is not just to support the melody; it also influences the emotional tone and color of a piece.
3. In Western music, harmony is often structured around scales and key signatures, determining how chords are built and how they function within a piece.
4. Different textures in music, such as homophony or polyphony, rely on harmony to define their character; for instance, homophonic textures have a clear melodic line supported by chords.
5. Harmony can also change throughout a piece to create contrast and interest, often using techniques like modulation to shift between keys.

Review Questions

• How does harmony enhance the texture of a musical piece?
  • Harmony enhances texture by adding layers of sound that complement the main melody. For example, in a homophonic texture, harmony supports the melody with chords that provide depth. In contrast, polyphonic textures feature multiple independent melodies that weave together through harmonies, enriching the overall sound experience. This interplay between melody and harmony defines how we perceive the complexity and emotional weight of music.
• Discuss the importance of voice leading in creating effective harmony within a composition.
  • Voice leading is essential for crafting smooth harmonic transitions between chords. It involves guiding each musical voice or part to move in a way that minimizes large leaps, making progressions sound more cohesive and natural. Effective voice leading ensures that harmonies blend well, enhancing the overall sound while maintaining clarity in both melody and accompaniment. This technique plays a vital role in achieving balanced harmonization across different musical styles.
• Evaluate how the use of consonance and dissonance can affect the emotional impact of a piece of music.
  • The interplay between consonance and dissonance significantly shapes a piece's emotional landscape. Consonance tends to evoke feelings of stability and resolution, while dissonance introduces tension and conflict. Composers strategically use these elements to guide listeners' emotional responses, often resolving dissonant harmonies into consonant ones to create satisfaction. This dynamic manipulation of harmony not only enhances the narrative of the music but also engages listeners on an emotional level, making them feel connected to the piece.

Related terms

Chord: A chord is a group of notes, typically three or more, that are played together to create harmony.

Dissonance:

Dissonance refers to the tension created by certain note combinations that clash, contrasting with consonance which is stable and pleasant.

Voice Leading:

Voice leading is the smooth movement of individual musical lines or voices from one note to another, crucial for creating coherent harmonic progressions.