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Ko te reo niko te tangi ngātahi o ētahi oro e rua, nui ake rānei, kia tau ki tā te taringa rongo (RTP 2015:95). / Harmony is the simultaneous sounding of two or more notes which are pleasing to the ear (RTP 2015:95). Te Aka/Māori Dictionary
Tonality: The overall key or key note of a piece of music
Tonality: The overall key or key note of a piece of music
Harmony: How the notes are played together (chords, and combinations of notes)
Harmony: How the notes are played together (chords, and combinations of notes)
Most often harmony is thought of as combining pitches into chords (several notes played simultaneously as a "block"). These chords are then arranged into sentence-like patterns called progressions. Eg. C G Am F would be a chord progression or you could say I V vi IV.
Most often harmony is thought of as combining pitches into chords (several notes played simultaneously as a "block"). These chords are then arranged into sentence-like patterns called progressions. Eg. C G Am F would be a chord progression or you could say I V vi IV.
Key words:
Key words:
- A concord is a chord where all the notes seem to 'agree' with each other. It feels at rest and complete in itself. (consonant)
- A discord is a chord where some notes seem to 'disagree' or clash giving an unsettled feel (dissonant)
- Diatonic harmony uses notes that belong to the key.
- Chromatic harmony uses notes from outside the key to give the chords more 'colour'.
- Primary Chords - I IV V vi
- Major or minor
- Modulation - does the key change?
<-- Watch these two videos for an explanation
<-- Watch these two videos for an explanation
Some things to write about when you are describing the harmony and tonality:
Some things to write about when you are describing the harmony and tonality:
1. What is the overall key? Which chords are used?
1. What is the overall key? Which chords are used?
These Days - Rudimental and No Tears Left To Cry chords - Ariana Grande both use the chords C, F, G, Am, and sometimes Dm and Em.
These Days - Rudimental and No Tears Left To Cry chords - Ariana Grande both use the chords C, F, G, Am, and sometimes Dm and Em.
(the links above take you the lyrics and chords for both songs)
Notice that these chords are all clustered together on the circle of fifths. (image on the left)
Notice that these chords are all clustered together on the circle of fifths. (image on the left)
Both songs are in the key of C major - because this is the top centre chord in the group.
Both songs are in the key of C major - because this is the top centre chord in the group.
Sometimes a piece of music is centred around a note, rather than a key.
Sometimes a piece of music is centred around a note, rather than a key.
2. How often do the chords change?
2. How often do the chords change?
Is there a chord sequence that repeats?
Is there a chord sequence that repeats?
eg. the chords in the verse are Am, C and G. They change every 8 counts.
Do the chords change in each section of the music? does the rate change?
Do the chords change in each section of the music? does the rate change?
3. Describe the emotion or feeling.
3. Describe the emotion or feeling.
Happy, sad, angry?? Why do you think the harmony or chords do this? Give examples from the music to support your evidence.
Happy, sad, angry?? Why do you think the harmony or chords do this? Give examples from the music to support your evidence.
eg. There is tension in the verse when the composer uses the chord Asus2 which is dissonant. The feeling of relief is felt when the chord moves to A, which is a consonant chord.
Are there any tense moments in the music? Where are the parts that feel more at rest or peaceful?
Are there any tense moments in the music? Where are the parts that feel more at rest or peaceful?
4. What effect does the tonality(minor or major) have on the music?
4. What effect does the tonality(minor or major) have on the music?
Major - happy, uplifting, energetic, positive
Major - happy, uplifting, energetic, positive
Minor - sad, serious, sombre, lonely
Minor - sad, serious, sombre, lonely
5. How are the chords played?
5. How are the chords played?
Does the accompaniment music sound 'open' (notes spaced far apart)
Does the accompaniment music sound 'open' (notes spaced far apart)
Or are the notes close together?
Or are the notes close together?
6. What sort of harmony is being used?
6. What sort of harmony is being used?
Are there discords (chords that don't sound right)
Are there discords (chords that don't sound right)
Are the chords all major or all minor?
Are the chords all major or all minor?
Any 7ths, 9ths, 11ths or 13ths chords?
Any 7ths, 9ths, 11ths or 13ths chords?
Other things to discuss:
Other things to discuss:
Can you recognise any harmonic progressions e.g. a perfect cadence?
Can you recognise any harmonic progressions e.g. a perfect cadence?
Does the composer modulate to a new key e.g. major to minor?
Does the composer modulate to a new key e.g. major to minor?
Are modulations sudden or gradual?
Are modulations sudden or gradual?
Is the music is atonal? no key
Is the music is atonal? no key
Harmony.pdfThis video is a great explanation for describing the harmony in a piece of music that doesn't fit the normal 'pop' music primary chord expectations.
This video is a great explanation for describing the harmony in a piece of music that doesn't fit the normal 'pop' music primary chord expectations.
warning - this is for advanced students
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