Harmony (Part I)

 

Level:        Advanced-Beginner through Intermediate

 

Purpose:   To introduce chordal harmony

 

Set-up:     (1) Play the melody to Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus for the class

                  (2) Play Suzuki’s three-part arrangement of Chorus, found in Duets for Two Violins

(Summy Birchard)

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       (3) Today we will learn about harmony.

Harmony is a different part that sounds good when played along with a melody.

The word harmony comes from the Greek word ‘harmonia’ meaning agreement.

In the example we just listened to, there were two additional parts played along with the melody.

 

Harmony adds texture and interest to a piece of music.

Adding a harmony part to a melody is like:

- Adding chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry to a bowl of ice cream

- Coloring in the outlines supplied in a coloring book

- Putting on 3-D glasses at a movie

- Adding cinnamon and cloves to applesauce that you are heating up on the stove

 

A melody is built from the notes of a scale.

A simple harmony can be made from the notes of that scale that sound good or ‘agree’ with the melody notes.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Activities: 

Experience Harmony

1 - D Scale

Divide the class into 3 groups

Have Group 1 play a D scale

Add Group 2 - have them start on F# and play up the octave, remaining in D

Add Group 3 – have them start on A and play up the octave, remaining in D

 

2 - Oh Come, Little Children

Review the melody

Teach the bass line to the class and then have them play it while you play the melody

Divide the class into two groups; one will play melody and the other the bass line, while you add the middle part

Enjoy the beautiful three-part harmony!