Layman's Piano Guide

Layman's Piano Guide

Chapter 7 Preview: Harmony

7. Working the notes in harmony will enrich the overall sound of Music as already observed when several notes are played at the same time.

  • In this chapter, learn how the chords are formed, how they are connected, and how they are played.
Picture 7.0

Picture 7.0

How Chords are Formed?

7.1. Harmony produces blending in Music.

  • For both staves played at the same time as observed in Petzold's Minuet in G.

7.1.1. Blending in Music is the combination of compatible notes and chords that fit together naturally.

  • When they match, the sound is smooth and pleasing.
  • When they don’t, it will sound out of tune.

7.1.2. Chords are groups of notes played either at the same time or one after another.

  • Without understanding chords, reading music can be harder since you need to check each note individually.
  • Learning chords helps you play faster and form groups of notes, even with just the melody.

7.1.3. Chords that are not played at the same time are called broken chords.

  • When played quickly in ascending or descending order, they are called arpeggios, as mentioned in earlier chapters.

7.1.4. Writing and sustaining Arpeggios

  • Every note is usually written individually if Arpeggios are played slowly.
  • Arpeggios may or may not be sustained with ties.

7.1.5. Brackets or parentheses for arpeggios

  • These can be used to indicate playing in arpeggios,
  • Sometimes with accents for emphasis.

7.1.6. Brackets or parentheses for fingering

  • They may also show that only one thumb should play two white keys,
  • As seen in Liszt's transcription of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7.

— End of Chapter 7 Preview —

Learn how playing notes together creates harmony by understanding how chords are formed, connected, and played.

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Layman's Piano Guide
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