1. Harmony in Sounds: Harmony is the blend of different pitches, notes, or frequencies that create a pleasing and satisfying musical experience. It involves combining notes that complement and support each other in a progression of chords or melodies.
2. Chords: Chords are a fundamental element of harmony. A chord is a group of notes played simultaneously. By combining different chords in a sequence, musicians create harmonic progressions that drive the music forward and provide a harmonic context for melodies.
3. Chord Progressions: Chord progressions are the succession of chords in a piece of music that create harmonic movement. These progressions create a sense of direction and provide harmonic support for melodies. Common chord progressions include the I-IV-V-I progression (also known as the "pop progression") and the II-V-I progression (common in jazz and blues).
4. Voice Leading: Voice leading refers to the movement of individual voices or parts within a chord progression. It ensures a smooth and logical transition between chords, avoiding dissonant or awkward voice movements. Proper voice leading creates a sense of melodic flow and coherence within the harmonic structure.
5. Tonality: Tonality is the organization of harmony around a central pitch or key. It establishes a tonal center and allows for the identification of tonic, dominant, and subdominant chords. Harmonies are constructed based on the tonal framework and contribute to the overall sense of stability, tension, and resolution in music.
6. Contrast and Resolution: Harmony is often used to create tension or release within a musical composition. Harmonic contrasts occur when unexpected or dissonant chords are introduced, building tension. Resolution happens when the music returns to more stable or consonant harmonies, resolving the tension created earlier.
7. Harmonic Textures: Harmony can create various textures in music. These include homophonic texture (a single melody line supported by chords), polyphonic texture (independent melodic lines played simultaneously), and monophonic texture (a single melody line without accompaniment).
8. Functional Harmony: In tonal music, each chord has a specific function within a progression, such as tonic, dominant, or subdominant. This functional approach to harmony allows composers to create a sense of harmonic direction and structure.
In summary, harmony in music involves combining different pitches and chords in a pleasing and meaningful way. It provides a foundation for melodies, creates harmonic movement, and shapes the overall structure and mood of a musical composition. Understanding harmony enables musicians to create compelling and emotionally engaging music.