In previous posts we have discussed two of the elements that comprise what music is all about; namely melody and rhythm.

The 3rd element of music is harmony. Without these 3 elements working together, music is “bare-bones” and incomplete. Oh sure — you could sing just a melody without any harmony, but that melody follows some sort of rhythmic pattern, whether steady or syncopated or a combination of both.

But when you stir harmony into the music bowl, you have a complete musical meal.

Harmony is the tonal environment in which a melody lives — the underlying sounds that give it context and relevance.

That harmony can be expressed in intevals or chords, from simple to extremely complex. An interval is the distance between any two notes — such as a 3rd, or a 6th. Vocal duets often are harmonized by singing a 3rd or 6ths below the melody, with a sprinkling of other intervals from time to time.

Chords can range from 3-note triads to complex structures composed of all kinds of intervals (and therefore, overtones).

Next post we’ll look at the 4th element of music — tone color.