Harmony

Definition

Harmony refers to the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to create a pleasing sound. It plays a crucial role in enriching melodies, establishing moods, and enhancing emotional expression in music, particularly in musical theater where it supports the narrative and character development.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In contemporary musical theater scores, harmony often shifts rapidly to reflect changes in character emotions and story developments.
2. Harmonies can vary from simple triads to complex arrangements involving extended chords and jazz influences, adding depth to musical numbers.
3. The use of harmony in musical theater can highlight contrasts between characters or situations, effectively enhancing storytelling.
4. Contemporary musicals often incorporate unexpected harmonic progressions to surprise audiences and create memorable moments.
5. Harmony not only supports the melody but also serves as a tool for composers to evoke specific feelings and atmospheres within a song.

Review Questions

• How does harmony contribute to the emotional impact of a song in musical theater?
  • Harmony plays a significant role in shaping the emotional landscape of a song by supporting the melody with additional layers of sound. Different harmonic structures can evoke various feelings; for example, major chords often convey happiness, while minor chords might suggest sadness or tension. As composers craft songs, they strategically use harmony to enhance character development and storytelling, allowing audiences to connect with the emotional journey of the characters.
• Discuss how contemporary musical theater scores utilize dissonance and consonance in their harmonic structures.
  • Contemporary musical theater scores frequently employ dissonance alongside consonance to create tension and resolution. Dissonant harmonies can heighten drama or express inner conflict within a character, while consonant harmonies provide relief and stability. This interplay between dissonance and consonance is crucial for engaging audiences, as it mirrors the complexities of human emotions and relationships presented on stage.
• Evaluate the role of harmony in defining character relationships through music in contemporary musicals.
  • Harmony plays an essential role in defining character relationships by reflecting their dynamics through musical interactions. For instance, when characters sing in harmony together, it often symbolizes unity or agreement. Conversely, contrasting harmonies may indicate conflict or tension between characters. Composers skillfully manipulate harmonic choices to not only advance the plot but also to deepen the audience's understanding of character motivations and their evolving relationships throughout the story.

Related terms

Chord: A chord is a group of notes played together, usually consisting of three or more notes, that forms the basis of harmony.

Dissonance:

Dissonance occurs when notes clash and create tension, often resolved by moving to more consonant harmonies, which creates a dynamic and emotional musical experience.

Counterpoint:

Counterpoint is the art of combining distinct melodic lines in a way that they complement each other harmonically, creating a richer texture in the music.