Harmony

Definition

Harmony is the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to create a pleasing sound. In music composition, it serves to enrich melodies and create depth within the piece, establishing emotional connections and enhancing the narrative of a film. Harmony can evoke specific feelings, set the atmosphere, and support the storytelling by complementing the visual elements.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In film scoring, harmony plays a crucial role in reinforcing the emotional undercurrents of scenes and can guide the audience's reactions.
2. Composers often use specific harmonic progressions to evoke particular feelings, such as tension or resolution, which are vital for storytelling.
3. Harmonies can vary widely in complexity, from simple triads to intricate polyphonic structures, depending on the desired effect in the composition.
4. The use of harmony in film can also signal changes in character dynamics or plot developments, enhancing viewer engagement and understanding.
5. Innovative harmonic techniques, such as chromaticism or modal interchange, can help create unique soundscapes that distinguish a film's score.

Review Questions

• How does harmony contribute to the emotional impact of a film score?
  • Harmony significantly influences the emotional impact of a film score by creating an auditory backdrop that enhances the narrative. Different harmonic progressions can evoke various feelings such as joy, sadness, tension, or resolution. For example, using major chords might convey happiness, while minor chords often suggest sadness or conflict. This interplay allows composers to guide the audience’s emotional responses as they engage with the film's story.
• Discuss the relationship between harmony and melody in film music composition. How do they work together to enhance storytelling?
  • In film music composition, harmony and melody are interconnected elements that work together to enhance storytelling. Melody serves as the primary theme or tune that conveys specific ideas or emotions, while harmony adds depth and richness to that melody. The harmony can support or contrast with the melody, creating tension or resolution that mirrors character development or plot progression. This relationship ensures that both elements contribute to a cohesive auditory experience that aligns with the film's visuals and themes.
• Evaluate how composers can manipulate harmony to create tension and resolution within a film score. What techniques do they use and what effects do these have on viewer engagement?
  • Composers manipulate harmony to create tension and resolution by using techniques like dissonance followed by consonance, modulation between keys, or employing unexpected harmonic shifts. By introducing dissonant chords during critical moments, they can build suspense or anxiety within a scene. Once that tension reaches its peak, resolving it with consonant harmonies provides relief and satisfaction. This careful manipulation keeps viewers engaged by eliciting emotional responses aligned with the unfolding narrative and helping to maintain dramatic pacing throughout the film.

Related terms

Chord: A chord is a group of notes played together, usually consisting of at least three different pitches, that create a harmonious sound.

Dissonance:

Dissonance refers to a combination of notes that clash or create tension, often resolved by moving to consonant harmony, which can enhance emotional impact.

Counterpoint: Counterpoint is the technique of combining two or more independent melodies in a way that creates harmony, allowing each melody to stand out while still contributing to the overall composition.