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.
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E |
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A |
B |
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C# |
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F |
G# |
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Major Scale |
A |
B |
C# |
D |
E |
F# |
G# |
A |
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I |
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IV |
V |
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Tonic |
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Sub-Dominant |
Dominant |
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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 | Domiant |
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Graphic Review of Basic Functional Harmony (Major) [1] | 12.46 KB |
| Graphic Review of Basic Functional Harmony (Minor) [2] | 13.84 KB |
