What exactly is harmony?
The harmony is the vertical aspect of music. Harmony is sounding more than one note together at the same time and is built to compliment the melody line. When 3 or more notes are combined to sound together, we call it a chord. When multiple chord blocks are placed together in a progression, they can function like an aural sentence structure, also with a beginning and ending.
Types of Harmony
The particular harmony notes that are selected to compliment the melody affect the mood of the song. We have two main types of harmony: dissonant and consonant. The dissonant harmony will sound jarring. Consonant harmony sounds smooth and blends naturally to our ears. Music composers combine those consonant and dissonant harmonies to make the music interesting and intriguing. If music only included consonant harmony, it would sound very bland without the aspect of tension and release in the music.
A great way to get started playing in harmony is to combine two or more players together! One musician will play the melody line, and the other players will play complimenting harmonies. There are many available options, spanning many different styles, and for all levels of musicianship. For band and orchestra musicians who are within their first few years of playing, here are a few fun recommendations.
Easy and Familiar Duet Music Options
These duets are great for pop concerts, recitals, or just for fun.
