match the terminology to their correct descriptions of harmony

Breiz Heurope

3 min read

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10-03-2025

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Harmony, in music, is a complex topic with a rich vocabulary. Understanding the terminology is key to understanding the theory and practice of creating pleasing and effective musical combinations of sounds. This article will help you match common harmony terms to their accurate descriptions.

Types of Harmony and Their Definitions

Here's a breakdown of key harmonic terms, paired with clear explanations. We'll cover some basic concepts first, then delve into more complex ideas.

Basic Harmonic Concepts

• Consonance: This refers to the combination of notes that sound pleasant and stable together. They create a sense of resolution and rest. Consonant intervals, like perfect fifths and octaves, are fundamental building blocks of harmony.

• Dissonance: Dissonant intervals or chords sound tense and unstable. They create a feeling of anticipation, needing resolution to a more stable sound. Dissonance is often used to create dramatic effect and emotional depth in music.

• Chord: A chord is a group of three or more notes sounded simultaneously. Chords are the foundation of much Western music harmony. They can be consonant or dissonant, depending on their construction.

• Interval: An interval is the distance between two notes. Intervals are measured in steps (half steps or whole steps) or by their quality (perfect, major, minor, augmented, diminished). The quality of the interval significantly influences whether it sounds consonant or dissonant.

More Advanced Harmonic Concepts

• Triad: A triad is a three-note chord built upon a root note, a third, and a fifth. Major and minor triads are the most common types. Understanding triads is essential for understanding more complex chord progressions.

• Seventh Chord: This chord adds a seventh interval above the root note of a triad. Seventh chords can be major, minor, dominant, half-diminished, or diminished, each with a distinct sound and function. They add complexity and color to harmonic progressions.

• Inversion: Inversion refers to changing the order of notes within a chord while keeping the same root. Inverting chords alters their bass note and overall voicing, leading to different harmonic colors.

• Cadence: A cadence is a harmonic progression that creates a sense of closure or arrival. Authentic cadences, for example, provide a strong sense of finality, while other types of cadences create different degrees of closure.

• Tonic: The tonic is the "home" chord in a key, the most stable and central chord. It usually provides a sense of resolution and rest.

• Dominant: The dominant chord is typically the V chord (fifth chord) in a key. It creates tension and strongly pulls towards the tonic.

• Subdominant: The subdominant is usually the IV chord (fourth chord) in a key. It often acts as a pre-dominant, leading towards the dominant and ultimately the tonic.

Matching the Terms: A Quiz

Now let's test your understanding. Match the following terms to their descriptions:

Terms:

1. Consonance
2. Dissonance
3. Chord
4. Interval
5. Triad
6. Seventh Chord
7. Inversion
8. Cadence
9. Tonic
10. Dominant
11. Subdominant

Descriptions:

A. The distance between two notes. B. A harmonic progression creating a sense of closure. C. A three-note chord. D. A group of three or more notes sounded simultaneously. E. Changing the order of notes within a chord. F. The "home" chord in a key. G. Sounds pleasant and stable. H. Sounds tense and unstable. I. A chord adding a seventh above the root. J. Typically the V chord in a key, creating tension. K. Often the IV chord in a key, leading to the dominant.

Answers:

1. G
2. H
3. D
4. A
5. C
6. I
7. E
8. B
9. F
10. J
11. K

This exercise should solidify your understanding of basic and advanced harmonic terminology. Further exploration of music theory resources will deepen your knowledge and appreciation of the art of harmony. Remember, mastering harmony takes time and practice, but with consistent learning, you’ll become more fluent in the language of music.