Basic Harmony

David Loberg Code, Western Michigan University

Harmony parts are made by stringing together triads built on different scale degrees.

Triadic Harmony: The three most common triads used to harmonize a melody are the tonic, subdominant, and dominant triads: I, IV, and V.

In a major key, all three of these will be major triads.

E A B

C# F# G#

Major Scale: A B C# D E F# G# A

I IV V

Tonic Sub- Dominant

dominant

For harmonizing in minor keys, use the harmonic minor scale. The tonic (i) and subdominant (iv) will be minor triads; the dominant will be a major triad.

E A B

C F G#

Harmonic Minor: A B C D E F G# A

i iv V

Tonic Sub- Dominant

dominant