A harmony is when more than one note is played at the same time.
A parallel harmony follows the melody in a parallel motion. Functional harmonies ascend and descending in major or minor thirds and fifths following the scale intervals. This technique is an easy way to fill out a melody with little effort.
Great for rock guitar solos!
Lowest tone on left moving to highest tone on right.
Use half note duration for each note (melody and harmony).
Original melody in C major: C, G, F, E, F, G.
Parallel harmony in thirds: E, B, A, Ab, A, B.
Functional harmony in thirds: E, B, A, G, A, B.
Parallel harmony in fifths: G, D, C, B, C, D
Functional harmony in fifths: G, D, C, B, C, D.
The harmony can stay on the same tone: A, A, A, A, A, A
The above A was below the original C it can also be an octave above original C.
Also use the B,D,E,F and G as the same tone. Each note gives a different tension
and feel to the original melody.
Original melody in C natural minor: C, G, F, Eb, F, G.
Parallel harmony in minor thirds: Eb, Bb, Ab, Gb, Ab, Bb.
Functional harmony in thirds: Eb, Bb, Ab, G, Ab, Bb.
Parallel harmony in flat fifths: Gb, Db, Cb, A, Cb, Db
Functional harmony in fifths: G, D, C, Bb, C, D.
The harmony can stay on the same tone: C, C, C, C, C, C
The above C is one octave above the original C it can also be an octave below the original C.
This is like a pedal tone.
Also use the A.B,D,E,F and G as the same tone. Each note gives a different tension
and feel to the original melody.
Original melody in C harmonic minor: C, Ab, G, F, G, Ab.
Parallel harmony in minor thirds: Eb, C, B, A, B, C.
Functional harmony in thirds: Eb, C, B, Ab, B, C.
Parallel harmony in flat fifths: Gb, D, Db, B, Db, D
Functional harmony in fifths: G, Eb, D, C, D, Eb.
The harmony can stay on the same tone: D, D, D, D, D, D
The above D is one octave above the original C it can also be an octave below the original C.
Also use the B,C,E,F and G as the same tone. Each note gives a different tension
and feel to the original melody.
Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.
Then apply this same concept to all scales and modes.
All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music
Leave a comment