How Do I Harmonize These Melodies?

Well, let me give you the recipe! Here are the first ingredients:

1. Every note in a major scale has its own harmonizing chord.

2. Whenever a note is played, simply replace it with its harmonizing chord.

3. The highest note of the chord always matches the melody note. You will want to hear the melody very clearly. So, the highest note of each chord IS ALWAYS THE MELODY!

4. When all one-note melodies have been replaced with harmonizing chords, you have a full- sounding basic song.

5. Add bass (or left hand)

So, find a melody to any simple song and replace the melody with the appropriate chords.

TRY THIS: USE THE MELODY SCALE: PENTATONIC SCALE

1_2_3_5_6_8 = C_ D_E_G_A_C

That is the melody scale. You can figure out any song with that scale. You may stray from the scale with a sharp or flat. Other than that, it is right on. If you know your Melodic Scale, you notice that the chords associated with it is in the Pentatonic Scale.

Here is the Melodic Scale in C. Think of the notes as Tenor_ Alto_ Soprano, left to right:

E G C

F A D

G C E

A C F

B D G

C F A

D G B

E G C

Notice the soprano note follows the normal scale pattern? The chords involved are only 5: They are the Root, IV, V, ii, and vi.

There you have it and you thought it might be tough! So, what do you think?

All the best,

LadyD