Harmony is when the layers of sound
have different pitches.
Sometimes the pitches blend (consonant); sometime they clash
(discordant).
Harmony
varies between different styles of music, across time and cultures.
Harmony can also be broken down into sets of chords.
A chord is when two or more notes are heard at the same time.
The notes may all be played on one instrument or spread across
different instruments or voices. The most common type of chord
in Classical and Pop music is the triad or three note chord.
Try
some out on this Smart Chord Guitar.
You
could play some other well known sequence like Pachelbel's
Canon
The
introduction to "Don't Look Back in Anger" by
Oasis
The
introduction to "Praise You" by Fat Boy Slim
Learn
how to play more guitar chords in the Guitar Practice Room
or click on the classroom keyboard for a menu of keyboard
chords.
So how are chords written down in staff notation? Can
you see how?
In
practise the notes of chords are often spread across different
instruments and parts:
What
is the difference between legato and staccato?
Here
is how this is shown in staff notation:
staccato
(short and crisp) shown by placing dots above the notes
legato
(smooth) shown by the curved lines (slurs) above the notes
1. All of the instruments in a piece of music can be written
down in a score.
2. There is a set order for instruments.
3. In a full orchestra the woodwind section is at the top
of the page followed by the horn, brass and percussion.
4. The string section is at the bottom.
5. In each section the highest instrument is at the top with
the lowest at the bottom.
So how are chords written down in staff notation? Can
you see how?
