Understanding Harmony

Harmony is a fundamental concept in music, referring to the sound produced by two or more notes that are played or sung simultaneously. It is often associated with the rich and richly layered background tones that create an aura of depth and complexity in compositions. The term 'harmony' has been extensively used since the 9th or 10th century, signifying more than just the melody or the simple tune being sung.

The Difference Between Singing Harmony and Just Singing in Harmony

When you sing in harmony, you are often contributing to the background, adding depth and richness to the melody sung by others. However, the term 'singing harmony' might refer more specifically to the part where you are sung the harmony part without the main melody being sung at the same time. This clarification helps to distinguish between contributing to the background (singing in harmony) and specifically singing the harmony part.

Harmony and Melody: The Building Blocks of a Song

A song consists of the melody and the lyrics. The melody is the part of the song that you recognize and that carries the tune, typically comprising single notes sung in a sequential order. The combination of pitch and rhythm forms the melody. Once a melody is established, it can be harmonized to enhance its complexity and emotional depth.

Harmonization involves adding one or more notes at different intervals above or below the melody or using chords. Chords are groups of notes played simultaneously. The intervals between notes determine the interval, which can range from consonant (sounding pleasant) to dissonant (sounding harsh or unpleasant). The choice of chords is up to the composer or arranger, and they can be as complex or as simple as the piece requires.

The overall effect of harmony is to create a background tone that supports and enriches the melody, making the song more engaging and emotionally resonant.

Harmony in Different Genres and Times

The concept of harmony has evolved over time and across various musical genres. For instance, in the 9th or 10th century, the word 'harmony' referred to the simultaneous sounding of several voices singing different notes, a practice that has persisted and developed into numerous musical traditions.

Even in relatively pure melody, such as in Plainsong from the Church, which is a form of Gregorian chant, the underlying harmony can still be heard. However, in more elaborate compositions like Gustav Holst's "Jupiter" arranged as the hymn tune "I Vow To Thee My Country," the change in harmony becomes more pronounced. This exemplifies how harmony can be a powerful tool in enriching a piece of music, even when the primary focus is on the melody.

Harmony in Classical Compositions

A great example of this can be seen in Schubert's "Great" C major symphony. The work begins with a solo melody on horns, which is then harmonized in the following movements. This progression from a single line of melody to a richly layer harmonized sound demonstrates the power of harmony in creating depth and emotion in music.

Similarly, the Russian composer Alexander Scriabin spoke of harmony as 'furled melody' and melody as 'unfurled harmony.' This concept highlights that while a melody is made up of a series of single notes, these notes together outline the chord structure underpinning the moment. Conversely, the underlying harmony can often be seen as the essential notes of the melody in that moment. This interaction between melody and harmony is at the core of many classical compositions, but it can also be observed in a wide variety of musical styles.