Lesson 7 is now published: melodic and harmonic motion

Lesson 7 of the Harmony Course is now published in English and Spanish, with its video.

From individual chords to moving voices

In the previous lesson we learned to build chords in four voices. Now we look at what happens when one chord connects to the next: each voice sings its own melody, and there are rules so that those melodies sound good, together and on their own.

What you will learn

• The allowed melodic intervals, ascending or descending, and how they are classified as steps, short paths, short leaps and long leaps.
• The leading tone, which never leaps an octave.
• Diminished intervals, allowed when the voice changes direction to compensate them.
• Successive leaps: when two leaps in a row in the same direction are allowed.
• Harmonic motion: parallel and contrary fifths and octaves, when fifths are allowed, and simultaneous leaps.

One voice at a time

I remember my first chorale very well: there are so many things to watch at the same time that it is very easy to get lost. That is why, before writing a chorale, this lesson's assignment practices each voice on its own: four eight-note melodies, one each for soprano, alto, tenor and bass, beginning and ending on the tonic.

The Virtual Teacher recognizes the voice and key of each melody, checks every interval, the range and the tonic, and explains each error. The harmonic motion rules are already built into the Virtual Teacher: we will practice them when we start connecting chords.

What's next

Lesson 8, on harmonic material and chord connections, is now under construction. There we will see which chords we can use and how they connect, and you will write your first two-chord connections.

If you have questions or comments about the lessons, write to me from the contact page.

Luis Cárdenas