Hi everyone,
I'm working through the AMEB syllabuses. I am to write in four-part as well as piano style harmony. I understand the former but I struggle with the latter. Apparently, the bass sounds the root of the chord and the other three notes go within an octave on the treble clef. But sometimes, the best note to double is not the root, so the repeated note would go in the treble. But it is impossible for a piano to play the same note, correct? If I had two first/second inversion chords in a row, I would get consecutive octave. What do I do? Do you have any other tips for piano style harmony? Thanks!
Beginner's guide to four-part harmony. This music theory lesson explains the basics of how to write four-part harmony to fit with a given melody. Often people can write a tune they are happy with but they are not sure which chords to use and how to write those chords. This video provides a step by step guide through the basics of how to do this. You will soon be choosing chords that work really well with your melodies and learning how to choose the chords that sound good.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/GoUQ_WHCe48
I'm not super familiar with theory, but I wrote a program that procedurally generates chorales given a chord progression, following all of the voice leading rules. Hoping that someone more knowledgeable can take a look and see if they find it interesting, or any other feedback.
Web version: https://autoharmony.herokuapp.com/
Also, I'm happy to answer any questions about how this works!
Writing bad four-part harmony?! Lots of people manage part of the journey with four-part harmony then get stuck or struggle to develop an outcome that is musically satisfying. This music composition lesson starts with a piece of four-part harmony that is successful to an extent, then guides viewers through the shortcomings of the working and explains solutions that would enhance the impact. Many of the common faults and rules are addressed and, having watched this video, you will have a much clearer idea how to write successful four-part harmony.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/SUhDZg2gaBQ
Here is a short étude, playable on the piano, that explores four-part writing. The challenge was to write something that could be played on the piano, but that could also exist as four cohesive parts, as if for SATB choir or an instrumental quartet. I think most of the part-writing and resolution rules are followed... but mostly I just went by ear... let me know! The sheet music is available in the link.
Are there any Beatles songs with all four of them singing at once? I know Because has George, Paul and John but I was hoping all four of them have a moment together somewhere zz
It is a chorale style thing in 4/4 in Bb Major, with fairly simplistic rhythms in the Bass and Soprano parts.
So I’ve really spent the last few months getting really back into and deeply fascinated by Music Theory again. I’ve already gone far past the amount of knowledge I had when I stopped in my early 20s. One aspect I’ve been avoiding is Counterpoint. As someone who doesn’t have any real desire to write four part harmony, Counterpoint never really seemed relevant to contemporary music the way Function harmony and other aspects did.
Counterpoint has always sound like a bunch of rules that really only apply to making classical music. If that’s not the sound I’m going for am I missing out on a useful tool? Is it as strict as it always seems? When I read an overview of it my eyes glaze over and I don’t really absorb anything.
Basically I’m looking to be told I’m wrong and even though I play mostly contemporary pop music with an emphasis on rock/punk I could benefit from learning about counterpoint and 4 part harmony.
Is it SATB only, or can it be SATB+Melody?
Beginner's guide to four-part harmony. This music theory lesson explains the basics of how to write four-part harmony to fit with a given melody. Often people can write a tune they are happy with but they are not sure which chords to use and how to write those chords. This video provides a step by step guide through the basics of how to do this. You will soon be choosing chords that work really well with your melodies and learning how to choose the chords that sound good.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/GoUQ_WHCe48
Beginner's guide to four-part harmony. This music theory lesson explains the basics of how to write four-part harmony to fit with a given melody. Often people can write a tune they are happy with but they are not sure which chords to use and how to write those chords. This video provides a step by step guide through the basics of how to do this. You will soon be choosing chords that work really well with your melodies and learning how to choose the chords that sound good.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/GoUQ_WHCe48
Writing bad four-part harmony?! Lots of people manage part of the journey with four-part harmony then get stuck or struggle to develop an outcome that is musically satisfying. This music composition lesson starts with a piece of four-part harmony that is successful to an extent, then guides viewers through the shortcomings of the working and explains solutions that would enhance the impact. Many of the common faults and rules are addressed and, having watched this video, you will have a much clearer idea how to write successful four-part harmony.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/SUhDZg2gaBQ
