Mary Had A Little Lamb: Harmonizing A Melody

Description

In this lesson we'll harmonize measures 1 & 2 by figuring out which chords work with each melody note. When we harmonize a major scale we get a specific set of chords. If you are new to this concept of harmonizing the major scale this tutorial covers that concept in depth.

Major Scale Harmony

To harmonize a scale means to build a chord one each note of the scale using only the notes of that scale. So, when we harmonize the C major scale we get these chords.

C major (I) c-e-g
D minor (ii) d-f-a
E minor (iii) e-g-b
F major (IV) f-a-c
G major (V) g-b-d
A minor (vi) a-c-e
B dim (vii dim) b-d-f

With that in mind we can start looking for melody notes that are found in those chords. We're looking at each melody note from the perspective of harmony: which chord is each melody note part of.

Anytime we have a C (1), E (3) or G (5) as a melody note we can play a C major chord because those are the notes that form that chord.

Anytime we have a G (5), B (7) or D (2) as a melody note we can play a G major chord because those are the notes that form that chord.

That covers all the notes of measures 1 & 2:

m.1: E (3) - D (2) - C (1) - D (2)
m.2: E (3) - E (3) - E (3)

Most simple melodies can be harmonized by only using the I chord, called the tonic, and the V chord, called the dominant. This is very typical of the style because those 2 chords have the strongest harmonic function. Tonic is home, providing the sound of completion, or resolution. Dominant is away, providing the sound of tension looking for a resolution.

We'll play each chord so the melody note is on the top, as the highest voice pitchwise to make sure it's heard clearly. This is stereotypical of the style of arranging melodies for classical guitar.

It helps to begin and end on the C major chord, the tonic, or (I) chord to establish the key of the song firmly. Since we are in the key of C major, starting and ending on the C major chord makes it sound as if "saying" through music, "This is the beginning and end of the phrase". So when we play a C (1) or E (3) we harmonize it with a C major chord (I), when we play a D (2) we harmonize it with a G chord.