7.3 Melodic Harmonization
4 min read•july 29, 2024
Melodic harmonization is the art of adding chords to a melody. It's like giving your tune a cozy home of harmonies. This skill helps you create richer, more interesting music by supporting the melody with complementary chords.
In this part of melodic construction, we'll explore how to choose the right chords, use , and add . We'll also look at how melody and harmony interact in different musical styles.
Harmonizing melodies with triads and seventh chords
Diatonic triads and seventh chords
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- are built on each scale degree of a key and consist of a root, third, and fifth
- The quality of each triad is determined by the intervals between these notes (major, minor, diminished)
- Diatonic are formed by adding a diatonic seventh above the root of a triad
- The quality of the seventh chord depends on the quality of the triad and the added seventh (major seventh, minor seventh, dominant seventh, half-diminished seventh, fully-diminished seventh)
Harmonization techniques and considerations
- Harmonizing a melody involves assigning chords to accompany each melody note
- The melody note should be a chord tone of the accompanying harmony (root, third, fifth, or seventh)
- Common chord progressions can serve as a framework for harmonizing melodies in a given key (I-IV-V-I, ii-V-I)
- , the rate at which chords change, affects the overall character and flow of the harmonization
- Faster harmonic rhythm creates a sense of movement and tension
- Slower harmonic rhythm creates a sense of stability and relaxation
- are used to provide a sense of or closure in melodic harmonization
- Perfect authentic cadence (V-I) provides a strong sense of resolution
- Plagal cadence (IV-I) provides a sense of rest and finality
Voice leading principles in harmonization
Smooth voice leading
- Voice leading refers to the smooth and logical movement of individual voices or parts within a harmonic progression
- The melody should be supported by the harmonization, with the accompanying voices moving in a way that complements the melodic line
- Common voice leading principles include:
- Avoiding parallel fifths and octaves to maintain the independence of voices
- Preferring contrary and oblique motion to create a sense of balance and coherence
- Resolving tendency tones properly (leading tone resolves to tonic, chordal seventh resolves down by step)
Texture and voice considerations
- Proper voice leading helps maintain the independence of individual voices while creating a cohesive and harmonious sound
- Voice leading considerations may vary depending on the of the harmonization
- : melody supported by
- : multiple independent melodic lines interweaving
- The number of voices involved (e.g., four-part writing) also affects voice leading choices
- Ensuring each voice has a smooth and logical progression
- Avoiding voice crossing and overlapping to maintain clarity
Non-chord tones and embellishments in harmonization
Types of non-chord tones
- Non-chord tones are pitches that do not belong to the prevailing harmony but are used to add interest, tension, or variety to the melodic line
- Common types of non-chord tones include:
- : connect two chord tones by step
- : depart from and return to the same chord tone by step
- : prepared by a chord tone, dissonant with the harmony, and resolved down by step
- : occur before the chord to which they belong
- : depart from a chord tone by step and leap in the opposite direction
- : dissonant non-chord tones that are approached by leap and resolved by step
- : sustained or repeated notes that may be consonant or dissonant with the changing harmony
Treatment and context of non-chord tones and embellishments
- Non-chord tones can be diatonic (belonging to the key) or chromatic (outside the key)
- They can occur on strong or weak beats, depending on their function and desired effect
- The treatment of non-chord tones depends on their type and context
- Suspensions are typically prepared by a chord tone, dissonant with the harmony, and resolved down by step
- Passing tones and neighbor tones are usually approached and left by step in the same direction
- Embellishments, such as trills, turns, and grace notes, are ornamental figures that decorate the melody without significantly altering the underlying harmony
- The use of non-chord tones and embellishments should be stylistically appropriate and not obscure the clarity of the melodic line or the harmonic progression
Melody and harmony relationships in different styles
Classical and jazz/contemporary pop styles
- In classical music, the harmony often supports and enhances the melody, with the melody being the primary focus
- Clear and singable melodies
- Harmony provides a foundation and expressive context for the melody
- In jazz or contemporary pop, the harmony may take a more prominent role, with the melody being shaped by or interacting with the harmonic progression
- Melodies may be more angular, syncopated, or improvisatory
- Harmony may include more complex chords, extensions, and alterations
Analyzing melody and harmony relationships
- Analyzing the relationship between melody and harmony involves identifying:
- Key and mode (major, minor, other scales)
- Chord progressions and cadences
- Use of non-chord tones, embellishments, and voice leading techniques
- The analysis should consider how these elements contribute to the overall character and style of the music
- Comparing the treatment of melody and harmony across different musical examples can provide insights into the compositional techniques and aesthetic values of various styles and periods
- Baroque period: contrapuntal textures, ornamented melodies, and
- Classical period: balanced phrases, clear melodies, and diatonic harmony
- Romantic period: expressive melodies, chromatic harmony, and rich textures
- 20th-century and contemporary: diverse approaches, including atonality, serialism, and extended techniques
Key Terms to Review (30)
Anticipations: Anticipations are non-harmonic tones that occur just before a chord change, where a note from the upcoming chord is played early, creating a moment of tension before resolving into the harmony. This technique enriches melodic and harmonic progression, as it prepares the listener for the harmonic shift while adding a sense of forward motion. Anticipations are often found in melodic lines that are harmonized in a way that emphasizes their role in leading into subsequent chords.
Appoggiaturas: An appoggiatura is a melodic ornament that involves a non-chord tone, typically approached by a leap and resolved to a consonant note, often creating a momentary dissonance. This embellishment adds expressiveness and depth to a melody, as it emphasizes the tension between the dissonant note and the resolution to a stable tone, enhancing emotional impact within the music.
Cadences: Cadences are musical phrases or sequences that signal the end of a musical thought, providing a sense of closure or resolution. They play a crucial role in defining the structure and flow of music, guiding listeners through harmonic progressions and indicating where phrases begin and end. Different types of cadences can convey various emotions, contributing to the overall narrative of a piece.
Chordal Accompaniment: Chordal accompaniment is a musical technique that involves the use of chords to support a melody, providing harmonic context and depth. This form of accompaniment typically consists of multiple notes played simultaneously, creating a fuller sound that enhances the overall musical experience. It plays a crucial role in various musical styles by reinforcing the melodic line and contributing to the emotional expression of the piece.
Claude Debussy: Claude Debussy was a French composer known for his innovative approach to music that helped usher in the Impressionist movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works often feature rich harmonies, nontraditional scales, and a unique orchestration style that emphasizes color and texture, setting the stage for new developments in music theory.
Consonance: Consonance refers to the harmonious relationship between notes or chords that sound stable and pleasing together. This musical quality creates a sense of resolution and balance, often contrasting with dissonance, which introduces tension and instability. Understanding consonance helps in recognizing how melodies and harmonies interact within different musical structures.
Counterpoint: Counterpoint is a compositional technique that involves the relationship between two or more melodic lines, where these lines are harmonically interdependent yet independent in rhythm and contour. This technique allows for the weaving of melodies that create a rich and intricate texture in music, contributing to the overall harmonic structure. Understanding counterpoint is essential for writing and arranging music, as it enhances the complexity and beauty of melodic interactions.
Diatonic triads: Diatonic triads are three-note chords built from the notes of a specific scale, using only the pitches found within that scale. These triads form the backbone of tonal harmony, and they are constructed on each degree of the scale, creating a unique set of major and minor chords that correspond to the scale's structure.
Dissonance: Dissonance refers to a combination of musical notes that creates a sense of tension or instability, often needing resolution to a more harmonious sound. It plays a crucial role in creating emotional depth in music, guiding the listener's experience through moments of conflict and resolution.
Dorian Mode: The Dorian mode is a type of musical scale that is characterized by its unique pattern of whole and half steps, specifically the interval structure of whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, and whole. It is the second mode of the major scale and has a minor tonality with a raised sixth degree, giving it a distinctive sound that blends elements of minor and major. This mode is often used in jazz, blues, and various forms of folk music, making it versatile for melodic harmonization.
Escape tones: Escape tones are non-harmonic tones that occur as part of a melodic line, typically approached by a step from a chord tone and resolved by a leap to a different chord tone. These notes add tension and color to melodies, creating a sense of movement away from the established harmonic framework. They play a crucial role in enhancing melodic interest and expressing emotion within musical phrases.
Functional Harmony: Functional harmony refers to the system of chord progressions and their roles within a tonal framework, where chords are understood in relation to the key center and their functions as tonic, dominant, or subdominant. This concept emphasizes how different chords lead to one another, creating a sense of movement and resolution in music. Understanding functional harmony helps in analyzing compositions, crafting smooth transitions between chords, and enhancing melodic lines through appropriate harmonic support.
Harmonic Rhythm: Harmonic rhythm refers to the rate at which chords change within a piece of music. It plays a crucial role in establishing the overall flow and movement of a composition, influencing how melodies are perceived and how tension and resolution are created. By varying harmonic rhythm, composers can create different musical textures, enhance melodic contour, and establish a specific emotional character in their works.
Homophonic texture: Homophonic texture refers to a musical texture where a single melodic line is accompanied by chords or harmonies, creating a sense of support and richness. In this texture, one voice or melody stands out prominently while other voices provide harmonic accompaniment, which enhances the overall musical expression and structure.
Inversion: Inversion refers to the rearrangement of the notes in a chord or motif so that a different note becomes the lowest pitch, which can create new harmonic or melodic qualities. By changing the order of notes, inversion allows for more varied textures and emotional expressions in music, enhancing motivic development and melodic harmonization.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period, renowned for his intricate musical structures and deep emotional expression. His mastery of melody, harmony, and counterpoint has had a lasting influence on Western music. Bach’s works showcase complex melodic contours and structures that are pivotal in understanding musical form, while also employing both simple and compound meters to create rhythmic diversity. He is particularly famous for his contributions to fugue and imitative techniques, as well as for his skill in melodic harmonization, which has inspired countless musicians and composers.
Neighbor Tones: Neighbor tones are non-chord tones that embellish a melody by approaching a chord tone from either above or below and then returning to the original chord tone. These tones create a sense of movement and can enhance the melodic line, adding richness and expressiveness to the music. Understanding how neighbor tones function can help in composing melodies that are harmonically interesting while still maintaining strong connections to the underlying harmonic progression.
Non-Chord Tones: Non-chord tones are notes that do not belong to the underlying harmony or chord at a given moment in a piece of music. These tones add tension and color, creating motion and interest in both melodic lines and harmonic progressions. They serve to embellish or decorate the main melody, offering expressive qualities that enhance the overall musical experience.
Passing Tones: Passing tones are non-chord tones that connect two chord tones in a melodic line, creating smooth transitions between pitches. They serve to fill in the gaps between the notes of the underlying harmony, often adding richness and fluidity to a melody. These tones can enhance both harmonic progression and melodic harmonization by introducing a sense of movement and continuity.
Pedal points: Pedal points are sustained or repeated notes, usually in the bass, that create a harmonic anchor while the harmonies above them change. This technique provides a sense of stability and can enhance melodic lines by contrasting with shifting chords. They play a significant role in establishing tonality and tension within a piece, often leading to resolutions or changes in harmony.
Pentatonic scale: A pentatonic scale is a musical scale that consists of five distinct notes within an octave, which can create a variety of melodies and harmonies. This scale is often used in different musical genres, as it provides a versatile foundation for improvisation and composition. The pentatonic scale can be formed by removing certain notes from a standard seven-note scale, making it simpler and often more accessible for both composers and performers.
Polyphonic texture: Polyphonic texture is a musical texture that involves two or more independent melodic lines being played or sung simultaneously, creating a rich and complex sound. This type of texture allows for intricate interactions between voices, often featuring counterpoint where the melodies complement and contrast with each other. In the context of harmonic structures, polyphonic texture can enhance melodic harmonization by providing depth and variation.
Resolution: Resolution refers to the process in music where dissonance is resolved into consonance, creating a sense of closure or satisfaction. It plays a crucial role in establishing harmonic progression, facilitating smooth voice leading, and enhancing the emotional impact of a composition.
Seventh Chords: Seventh chords are musical chords that consist of four notes: the root, third, fifth, and seventh. They create a richer sound compared to triads and are commonly used to add tension and color in harmonic progressions. Their usage spans across various musical genres, making them essential for both composition and analysis, influencing common progressions, four-part writing techniques, and melodic harmonization strategies.
Smooth voice leading: Smooth voice leading refers to the practice of connecting chords in a way that minimizes the movement of individual voices, making transitions between harmonies seamless and aesthetically pleasing. This technique emphasizes small intervallic movements for each voice, ensuring that the melodic lines flow naturally and maintain a sense of cohesion. It's important for creating pleasing harmonies in compositions, enhancing both the emotional impact and clarity of the music.
Suspensions: Suspensions are non-chord tones that create a temporary dissonance by holding a note from a previous chord into a new chord, resolving downward by step to a consonant note. This technique adds emotional depth and tension in musical progressions and melodies, enhancing the overall harmonic and melodic landscape.
Texture: Texture in music refers to the way different musical sounds and lines interact with each other. It encompasses the layers of sound within a piece, including how many instruments or voices are involved and how they relate to one another. Texture can greatly influence the emotional and structural aspects of a composition, shaping the listener's experience.
Transposition: Transposition is the process of shifting a piece of music up or down in pitch while maintaining its original intervals and relationships. This technique allows musicians to adapt music to different vocal ranges or instruments, facilitating performance and arrangement. By preserving the relative distances between notes, transposition ensures that the character and structure of the music remain intact, regardless of the key in which it is played.
Voice Leading: Voice leading refers to the practice of composing music in a way that ensures smooth, logical, and efficient movement between individual melodic lines or voices. It focuses on how each voice interacts with others in terms of motion, harmony, and texture, which is crucial for creating coherent chord progressions and harmonizations.
Voicing: Voicing refers to the arrangement and distribution of notes in a chord, particularly how they are spaced and assigned to different instrumental parts. This concept plays a vital role in creating harmonic texture and character in music, influencing the overall sound and emotional impact of a piece. It can vary widely depending on the ensemble, the desired sound, and the specific techniques used in orchestration or arrangement.