{"id":14179,"date":"2016-09-06T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-06T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hearandplay.com\/main\/?p=14179"},"modified":"2024-10-07T17:28:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T01:28:51","slug":"quick-insights-on-the-tertian-harmony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearplaymain.wpenginepowered.com\/quick-insights-on-the-tertian-harmony\/","title":{"rendered":"Here Are Quick Insights On Tertian Harmony"},"content":{"rendered":"

In today’s lesson, we’ll be exploring the tertian harmony – an interesting subject in harmony.<\/p>\n

Every musician must have a knowledge of harmony irrespective of their instrument, and this is because harmony<\/a> is an integral part of music that provides accompaniment for melody.<\/p>\n

Before we get into tertian harmony and its application in the formation of chords, let’s talk about harmony.<\/p>\n

A Short Note On Harmony<\/h2>\n

There are twelve notes:
\n
\n…(aka – “pitch-classes<\/a>“) on the piano.<\/p>\n

Music is made by the relationship between these notes, which can either form a melody or a harmony. The relationship between notes that are heard separately forms melody<\/strong>, while the relationship between notes that are heard at the same time forms harmony<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Harmony can be formed when a choir is singing. The relationship between the notes sang by the various voice parts – soprano, alto, tenor, and bass, produces harmony.<\/p>\n

When notes are played\/sang\/heard together (in harmony), the relationship between the notes are usually agreeable and pleasant, however, there are situations where the relationship between the notes are harsh and unpleasant.<\/p>\n

The harmony between agreeable notes is said to be consonant, while the harmony between disagreeable notes is said to be dissonant.<\/p>\n

The relationship between notes played\/sang\/heard together (in harmony) can either form intervals or chords. An interval is formed by the relationship between two notes, while a chord is formed by the relationship between three or more notes.<\/p>\n

Submission<\/strong>: Although intervals and chords can either be melodic or harmonic, their harmonic forms are our interest in this lesson.<\/p>\n

Now that we’ve covered harmony, let’s take this study to the next level by taking a look at a special class of harmony known [to music scholars] as the tertian harmony.<\/p>\n

A Treatise On Tertian Harmony<\/h2>\n

The harmonic relationship between notes can be consonant or dissonant. Although, dissonant harmonies have their place in contemporary music, consonance has a common place.<\/p>\n

Several centuries ago when musicians were mostly church men, consonant harmonies were considered suitable because they have a sense of repose, stability, and pleasantness, that dissonant harmonies don’t have.<\/p>\n

In this segment, we’ll be looking at two important intervals that are commonly used in harmony – third and sixth intervals.<\/p>\n

“What Are Third Intervals?”<\/em><\/h3>\n

A third interval is basically an interval that encompasses three letter names. For example, there are three letter names between C and E, – they are C, D, and E:
\n
\n…consequently, the interval C-E:
\n
\n…is a third interval.<\/p>\n

There are various qualities of third intervals, which include:<\/p>\n