Harmonizing scales is a fundamental concept in music theory that involves building chords from the notes of a scale. By stacking notes in a systematic way, each degree of the scale is transformed into a chord, creating a harmonious relationship between melody and harmony. This technique enables musicians to construct chord progressions that are directly derived from the scale, ensuring musical coherence and enriching the overall sound. Harmonized scales are used in all genres of music and are essential for composition, arrangement, and improvisation.
- Harmonizing a scale means creating chords from its individual notes.
- Each note of the scale becomes the root of a chord, typically formed by stacking thirds.
- Resulting chords form the basis for harmonically coherent progressions.
- This technique links melody (single notes) with harmony (chords) directly.
Harmonizing scales means creating chords from the notes of a scale.
It connects melody (single notes) with harmony (chords).
How Scale Harmonization Works
When you harmonize a scale, you take each note (called a scale degree) and build a chord by adding additional notes at regular intervals, typically every other note (thirds) within the scale. For example, in a major scale, you start with a note, then add the note two steps above it, and then another two steps above that, all within the scale. This creates a series of chords—one for each scale degree.
- Start with a note (scale degree).
- Add notes spaced by two steps (thirds) within the scale.
- Repeat for every note in the scale to form a series of chords (harmonized scale).
Chords are usually built by stacking thirds.
You build chords from each note using intervals within the scale.
Major Scale Harmonization
In the major scale, the harmonized chords follow a specific pattern of major, minor, and diminished chords. If you take the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) and build triads on each note by stacking thirds, you get:
| Scale Degree | Notes in Chord | Chord Type | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C - E - G | Major | I (C) |
| 2 | D - F - A | Minor | ii (Dm) |
| 3 | E - G - B | Minor | iii (Em) |
| 4 | F - A - C | Major | IV (F) |
| 5 | G - B - D | Major | V (G) |
| 6 | A - C - E | Minor | vi (Am) |
| 7 | B - D - F | Diminished | vii° (Bdim) |
Pattern for Major Scale: I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii°
- Chords are triads built from scale notes (no accidentals).
- The pattern of chord qualities (Maj, min, dim) is consistent for all major scales.
I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii° (Major, Minor, Minor, Major, Major, Minor, Diminished)
The major scale uses major, minor, and diminished chords.
Minor Scale Harmonization
For the natural minor scale, the pattern of chord qualities is different. Using A minor as an example (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), harmonizing by triads gives:
| Scale Degree | Notes in Chord | Chord Type | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A - C - E | Minor | i (Am) |
| 2 | B - D - F | Diminished | ii° (Bdim) |
| 3 | C - E - G | Major | III (C) |
| 4 | D - F - A | Minor | iv (Dm) |
| 5 | E - G - B | Minor | v (Em) |
| 6 | F - A - C | Major | VI (F) |
| 7 | G - B - D | Major | VII (G) |
Pattern for Natural Minor: i - ii° - III - iv - v - VI - VII
- Minor scales start with a minor chord on the first degree.
- Include diminished chords and more major chords in the latter part of the scale.
For natural minor: i, ii°, III, iv, v, VI, VII
The minor scale has i, ii° instead of I, ii and also uses III, VI, VII as major.
Conclusion
Harmonizing scales transforms individual notes into a series of interconnected chords, laying the foundation for melody and harmony to work together seamlessly. By understanding the formula for harmonizing major and minor scales, musicians can create rich, coherent, and emotionally powerful music.
- Harmonized scale = chords built on each scale note.
- Major and minor scales have distinct chord patterns.
- Mastery of scale harmonization empowers composition and arrangement.
Harmonizing scales allows creating matched chords for melodies.
It provides chord progressions that fit the melody and scale.
The first degree becomes a major chord.
Major, minor, and diminished chords are used.
The pattern is I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii°.
You stack thirds on each scale degree.
The first degree becomes a minor chord.
The pattern is i - ii° - III - iv - v - VI - VII.
It's called a diatonic chord progression.