Topic: Music \ Composition \ Harmony

Description:

Harmony is a fundamental aspect of musical composition that involves the simultaneous combination of different musical notes or chords. It is one of the essential elements that give music its depth and emotional texture, distinguishing it from mere melodic lines.

Concept of Harmony:

1. Definition: Harmony refers to the vertical aspect of music, where multiple notes are played or sung together, forming chords. This contrasts with melody, which concerns the horizontal progression of individual notes.

2. Chord Structure: At the core of harmony is the chord, a group of notes, typically three or more, that are played together. The most basic chords are built from triads, which include the root note, the third, and the fifth.

3. Diatonic Harmony: This type of harmony is based on scales, particularly the major and minor scales. Within a diatonic scale, the harmonies constructed can be derived from the notes within the scale. For example, in the C major scale, which consists of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B, the diatonic triads would be:
   \[
   \begin{aligned}
   &\text{C major} (C - E - G) \\
   &\text{D minor} (D - F - A) \\
   &\text{E minor} (E - G - B) \\
   &\text{F major} (F - A - C) \\
   &\text{G major} (G - B - D) \\
   &\text{A minor} (A - C - E) \\
   &\text{B diminished} (B - D - F)
   \end{aligned}
   \]

4. Tonal Harmony: This form of harmony is anchored on the tonic note, and all other chords within the piece create a sense of direction and resolution back to the tonic. For example, in C major, the tonic chord is C major, the subdominant is F major, and the dominant is G major. The use of these chords creates a harmonic progression that provides a sense of movement and resolution within a piece.

5. Functional Harmony: This branch of harmony deals with the functions of chords in the context of a key. Each chord serves a specific role:

   • Tonic (T): The home chord that provides resolution and rest.
   • Dominant (D): Creates tension that seeks resolution back to the tonic.
   • Subdominant (S): Leads towards the dominant.

6. Non-Diatonic Harmony: This involves chords that do not strictly belong to the traditional key signatures, such as borrowed chords or modal interchange, where chords from parallel modes are used. For instance, a piece in C major may borrow chords from C minor to create a richer harmonic palette.

7. Voice Leading: An important aspect of harmony is voice leading, which refers to the smooth movement of individual musical lines or voices from one chord to another. Good voice leading ensures that each note within the chords transitions smoothly, minimizing large jumps and creating a cohesive sound.

8. Extended and Altered Chords: Harmony also includes the use of extended chords (such as ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths) and altered chords. These add complexity and color to the harmonic structure.

9. Atonal Harmony: This breaks away from traditional tonal centers and functional harmony, often employing dissonant combinations of notes without the need for resolution. Composers like Arnold Schoenberg developed techniques such as the twelve-tone system to structure atonal music.

Conclusion:

Harmony is a vast and intricate component of music composition that significantly enriches the listening experience. Understanding and mastering the principles of harmony allows composers to create music with emotional depth, complexity, and variety. Whether staying within the bounds of diatonic harmony or exploring the far reaches of atonality, harmony remains central to the art of music composition.