Harmony in Music: A Simple Guide for Year 7 Students

Harmony is an important part of music. It helps make songs sound emotional and rich. Let’s break down what harmony is and why it matters.

What is Harmony?

Harmony is when different musical notes are played or sung at the same time.

These notes work together to make the main tune (melody) sound better and fuller.

Chords: The Building Blocks

A chord is when a few notes are played together.

The most common type of chord is called a triad, which has three notes.

Here are two examples:

• C major chord: C, E, G
• A minor chord: A, C, E

Chord Progressions: Creating Movement

A chord progression is a series of chords played one after the other.

This progression helps create the foundation of a song.

Here are two popular progressions:

• I-IV-V: A classic one found in many pop songs.
• ii-V-I: Often used in jazz music.

Roles of Harmony in Music

1. Emotional Expression: Harmony helps show feelings. Major chords usually sound happy, while minor chords can sound sad.

2. Tension and Resolution: Chord progressions create a feeling of tension that’s resolved later. This makes the music more interesting.

3. Support for Melody: Harmony supports the melody, giving it a stronger context and fullness.

In Conclusion

Harmony includes how chords interact, the way chord progressions move, and how they help express feelings in music.

By understanding these ideas, Year 7 students can enjoy and create music that has depth and complexity.