Basic Musical Harmony for Composing and Producing Songs – Everything You Need!
Harmony is the essential part of music. Currently, in musical composition and production using a computer or a harmonic instrument like a guitar or piano, understanding basic harmony, including the formation and use of chords in a song, will be the foundation for understanding and mastering the theoretical basis of the music we are creating.
In this article from GuitarRec – Online Recording Studio, we explain the basic concepts of modern harmony in a simple way, providing key information and tools on chord formation, types, usage, and functions. This will help you understand basic musical harmony, essential for composing with an instrument or producing music using a computer and a DAW.
We recommend complementing this information with our complete tutorial on how to compose a song step by step. You can find it here.
About Basic Harmony in Modern Music
Traditionally defined as the “science that teaches the construction of chords“, harmony seeks the most balanced way to combine them, thus creating different sensations in the listener. Harmony goes beyond simply creating or linking chords; it is a science and an art that teaches us to combine simultaneous notes, creating sound balance, paths, and sensations in music.
Musical harmony focuses on the “vertical” aspect of music, where notes align and sound together creating chords, as opposed to the “horizontality” of melodies. Consonant harmony can evoke relaxation and calm, while dissonant harmony can evoke tension and excitement. In modern music, especially in styles influenced by jazz such as pop, rock, and electronic music, harmony is much simpler than in classical music or even jazz, but it remains a key aspect for anyone composing music in any style.
On the use of sheet music: In this tutorial on modern basic harmony, to make it accessible as an introduction to musical theory, we will not use sheet music to explain the relationship between notes. However, we recommend that if you wish to delve deeper, you start working on reading and analyzing sheet music alongside what is explained in this article.
Practical Use of Harmony for Composing
Understanding harmony is essential for any musician, as it allows us to comprehend how each chord is created and how it contributes its unique color to the rest of the chords, adding emotion to a composition. It also offers resources during creative blocks and tools to compose a song and adapt resources from songs we’ve learned into our own style.
Musical Notation: European vs. American or Anglo-Saxon Notation
To fully understand the difference between European musical notation (Do, Re, Mi…) and American notation (A, B, C…), we will start the C scale from A, which is the A minor scale (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). In English, the notes correspond to the letters of the alphabet up to G (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). This is vital if you work as an online music producer using DAWs or programs built with this notation. It is also very common for reading chord charts.
Basic Harmony: Chord Formation and Tonalities
A chord is a combination of at least three notes, usually in thirds. In the case of the C Major scale (or C in American notation), it would use the notes C (C), E (E), and G (G), which correspond to scale degrees: I, III, and V. This is the basic formation of a major chord. By using a minor third (Eb), we form a minor chord.
Creating Triad Chords in the C Major Scale (C)
The C Major scale serves as an excellent example for understanding chord formation. Each chord is built using notes from this scale, usually in third intervals. Below is a table showing the triad chords (three-note chords) derived from each degree of the C Major scale.
From this scale (Major), different types of chords arise since the notes are not equally spaced. There is a whole tone (2 semitones) between most notes except between degrees III and IV and VII and VIII (the I one octave above), which are separated by a semitone (1 semitone). This is easy to visualize on a piano since there is no black key between E (Mi) and F (Fa) and between B (Si) and C (Do).
Info: A major third consists of 4 semitones (consecutive piano keys). A minor third consists of 3 semitones.
| Degree | Note | Formed Chord | Harmonic Function | Notes Forming It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | C | C Major (C) | Tonic | C, E, G |
| II | D | D Minor (Dm) | Subdominant | D, F, A |
| III | E | E Minor (Em) | Mediant (Tonic) | E, G, B |
| IV | F | F Major (F) | Subdominant | F, A, C |
| V | G | G Major (G) | Dominant | G, B, D |
| VI | A | A Minor (Am) | Tonic (Relative Minor) | A, C, E |
| VII | B | B Diminished (Bdim) | Leading Tone (Dominant) | B, D, F |
This table shows the diatonic chords formed in the C Major scale. Each chord has its own character and function within the harmonic progression. By combining these chords, we can ensure a consistent sound as we will not be changing the key during composition. Any melody can be composed using the notes of C Major (the white keys on a piano or the piano roll of any DAW if you use a computer for music production). However, we always recommend starting or ending melodies with one of the chord tones where they will be played.
Harmonic Function of Each Chord (Tonic, Subdominant, Dominant)
The harmonic function of each chord, as shown in the table, is a simplification since each of the resulting chords or degrees has its own character and definition. However, to understand harmony in the most basic and practical way, we will divide them into three types of chords: tonic, subdominant, and dominant. Below we explain the practical composition function of each of these chord types.
Functions of Chords in Basic Harmony for Composition
As mentioned earlier, chords can be classified into three basic types in terms of their function within a chord progression or key. Each has a unique role in harmonic progression.
- Tonic
- Dominant
- Subdominant
Tonic Chords: Foundation of Basic Musical Harmony
Tonic chords (degrees I and VI) represent the “home” in a harmonic progression, providing stability and resolution. The first degree is the foundation of the major scale, while the sixth degree is its relative minor. Starting a song or section with the VI degree gives it a minor, sad, or melancholic feel. Starting with the major degree provides the happier sensation of the major key. In both cases, you will feel the sensation of being “at home.” Tonic chords do not create tension. This is true, to a lesser extent, for the III minor degree, which has its own personality and less tonal weight (also called mediant).
Pro Harmony Tip: Try replacing a chord with another of the same function in certain parts of the song. For example, in a song in C Major (C), you can replace C with A minor (Am) or even E minor (Em) in some sections using the same melody or starting note, as all three can serve the tonic function. This also applies to dominant and subdominant chords.
Dominant Chords: Direction and Resolution
Dominant chords (degrees V and VII) create tension and push the progression toward resolution, usually to a tonic chord. Try ending a song in the C scale on a G chord, and you will feel it left hanging in the air. (For instance, the classic “chinpon” ending is a V, I resolution.)
Subdominant Chords in Musical Harmony: The Harmonic Bridge
Subdominant chords (degrees II and IV) act as bridges between the tonic and dominant chords, providing a smooth transition within the progression. Each has its own character, especially since the II degree is minor and the IV degree is major. They are ideal for exploring new pathways and sensations while remaining within the key.
Transposing Chords to Any Key
Transposing chords is essential for adapting a composition to different instruments, voices, or simply moving a chord progression to a different key to match the vocal range of the singer. This is done by analyzing the notes in the new scale and applying the chord construction degrees in the same way as in C.
For example, if the G Major scale consists of the notes: G, A, B, C, D, E, F# (G, A, B, C, D, E, F#), the G Major chord (G) becomes the fundamental tonic chord (degree I), and D Major (D) becomes the dominant chord (degree V). Using this method, we can transpose chords from one scale to another.
You can find a list of all scales here if needed.
Advanced Chord Formation
Advanced chords like sus4, maj7, dominant seventh, diminished, add9 add color and complexity to music. Each has a unique composition in terms of degrees and is used to create specific sensations in a composition.
For diatonic chords that are tetrads, the formation is achieved by adding the next third interval within the scale. For example, in the C Major chord (C) in the C scale: C, E, G, adding the B forms a C Major Seventh (Cmaj7) chord. Others, like the sus4, have unique formulas: replacing the third with the fourth in the chord.
To fully understand chord formation, we recommend experimenting with the notes of each chord on a piano or your MIDI controller keyboard in the C (C) key. This is undoubtedly the best way to practically grasp harmony and chord formation.
Below is a list of notes (by degrees) that form each of these chords and how they would be formed with the tonic (fundamental note) in C:
- Maj7 Chord (Major Seventh)
I, III, V, VII. C, E, G, B - -7 or m7 Chord (Minor Seventh)
I, bIII, V, bVII. C, Eb, G, Bb - 7 Chord (Seventh or b7)
I, III, V, bVII. C, E, G, Bb - sus4 Chord (Suspended Fourth)
I, IV, V. C, F, G - add9 Chord (Added Ninth)
I, III, V, IX. C, E, G, D - + Chord (Augmented Triad)
I, III, #V. C, E, G# - º Chord (Diminished Triad)
I, bIII, bV. C, Eb, Gb
Applying Harmonic Theory: Creating Chord Progressions
Experimenting with different chord progressions, such as the classic I-IV-V-I, is essential for developing skills in composition and music production. Trying out various chord progressions will be vital to bring a song structure to life. Using chord degrees to substitute them throughout the song will always add a new level of sophistication to our compositions.
Once you have absorbed this information about basic harmony for composing, don’t stop analyzing all the chord progressions from your favorite artists’ songs. Over time, you will no longer see chords as C, F, or Am, but instead think in degrees: First, Fourth, Sixth Minor.
Basic Harmony for Guitarists and Pianists: Most Used Chord Progressions in Pop Music
Below are some of the most commonly used chord progressions (written in degrees so you can apply them in any key, with their version in C Major) in pop, blues, urban, rock, and other modern styles like lo-fi, house, and other electronic genres. They are perfect for inspiration and starting to compose with any instrument.
- I, V, VI-, IV (C, G, Am, F): Hundreds of pop, folk, and house hits have been written with this progression.
- I, IV, V (C, F, G): A classic rock chord progression, try combining and varying durations.
- I, I, I, I, IV, IV, I, I, V, V, I, I: Classic chord progression for traditional blues; make all the chords seventh (b7).
- II-7, V7, Imaj7 (Dm7, G7, Cmaj7): The basic jazz progression, constantly changing keys… 😉
- VI-, II-, III-, VI- (Am, Dm, Em, Am): A progression in A minor, seen from the perspective of the C Major scale. In reality, A is the first minor degree in the A minor scale, but this (and much more) is material for a second part of this harmony tutorial, perhaps not as basic.
- Imaj7, IVmaj7 (Cmaj7, Fmaj7): A simple but highly effective progression, for example, it’s the chord sequence in Lou Reed’s classic, Walk on the Wild Side.
Ultimately, understanding basic harmony is crucial for any composer or music producer. We hope this tutorial has clarified some doubts and serves as inspiration for your compositions, encouraging you to delve into the wonderful (and extensive) world of musical harmony. This is only the beginning; if you want to dig deeper, we’ve provided a list of some of the best-selling modern harmony books below.
Enjoy the journey and musical learning. It’s worth it!
You may also be interested in: 50 Tips and Advice for Writing Songs.
Best-Selling Books on Modern Harmony
- Son, David (Author)
- Herrera, Enric (Author)
- Herrera, Enric (Author)
- Schneider, Ricky (Author)
- Schneider, Ricky (Author)
- Schneider, Rodolfo Augusto (Author)
Tutorial created by Vicen Martínez (music producer, guitarist, and founder of GuitarRec.com). Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn.
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