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How Can I Keep The Chord The Same If The Notes In The Melody Change?

Started by luderart, Apr 19 2012 07:12 AM

chords harmonization melody

#1

luderart

Posted 19 April 2012 - 07:12 AM

luderart

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Reading about harmonizing a melody, I have come across the idea that we don't need to change the chords a lot. One author has even said that a chord may not change for several bars. Another has advocated changing the chords during strong beats. I would like to know how we can stay in the same chord if the notes in the melody are always changing and a chord gives us access to only 3-4 of those notes most of the time? Are we supposed to limit ourselves to these 3-4 notes in the composition of additional parts that accompany the melody? And what about notes in the melody that are out of these 3-4 notes? Are they acceptable?

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#2

jrcramer

Posted 19 April 2012 - 08:37 AM

jrcramer

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what ever you want

If you want to fit in the boring and cliché area I recommend as little change as possible. But to keep things interesting some transitional stuff works. check for example this great series of anayses of Bachs entire WTK book 1. This is a particular interesting vid on the C# min fugue: http://www.youtube.c...&feature=relmfu

In case the files are not found: http://mydisk.se/jrc...page/music.html

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#3

robinjessome

Posted 19 April 2012 - 02:30 PM

robinjessome

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If you want to fit in the boring and cliché area I recommend as little change as possible.

Static harmony is boring and cliché?

For Whatever Reason, available now!

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#4

jrcramer

Posted 19 April 2012 - 04:13 PM

jrcramer

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Static harmony is boring and cliché?

not perse, but when you choose to limit yourself you need other ways to maintain interest.
you know that, I know that, you know I know that, so, why are you asking? are you just in a nitpicky mood?

In case the files are not found: http://mydisk.se/jrc...page/music.html

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#5

composerorganist

Posted 19 April 2012 - 08:58 PM

composerorganist

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This is a huge topic ... and the advice you got sounds like something from eHow - hopelessly topical to the point of useless. Here are some pieces to provide you with ideas


Perotin

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=PhqWgfGK1Xw

Machaut

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=bZxAqWV7a0A

Lassus

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=U3J4myJxv2o

Schutz

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=0j7F5R44ObA

(very opening and cadences for ideas of how often to change the harmonization)

Bach

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=XVa3nR-2bVc

Samuel Sebatien Wesley

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=0r3BkuxjD6k

Faure

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=wKwHiGg21KA

Schoenberg - late

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=C6x3wWNTltw

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

Messaien

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=Zz1WjcS0vdU

Ligeti

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=mX1YK_oppt4


Hope this answers your question

Chris S

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#6

Ian

Posted 19 April 2012 - 09:21 PM

Ian

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http://en.wikipedia....i/Nonchord_tone
Since it seems from your OP that you don't know about these.

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#7

orchdork02

Posted 21 April 2012 - 12:47 PM

orchdork02

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I've noticed that not every note in the melody has to fit with the chord. I usually just make sure the notes on the strong beat fit with the chord and don't worry about the others. Most of the time you don't even notice that they don't fit. Besides, it's good to make it more interesting.

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#8

MiggTorr

Posted 25 May 2012 - 05:40 AM

MiggTorr

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http://en.wikipedia....i/Nonchord_tone
Since it seems from your OP that you don't know about these.

This.

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