Writing Better Harmony - Music Composition

The video tutorial explores how to enhance basic harmony by introducing rhythmic independence, increasing chord variety, and using techniques like passing notes and suspensions. It provides practical examples and suggestions for transforming simple harmonic progressions into more interesting and effective compositions.

What is one reason the initial harmony is considered uninteresting?

• It has too much chromaticism.

• All parts move in the same rhythm.

• It uses too many different chords.

• The melody is too complex.

How can passing notes enhance a bass line?

• By making it louder.

• By increasing the tempo.

• By adding rhythmic independence.

• By changing the key.

What is a potential alternative to repeating 1 and 5 chords?

• Using only root position chords.

• Adding more 1 chords.

• Avoiding any chord changes.

• Using a 4 chord.

What is a 4-3 suspension?

• A melody that descends by a third.

• A rhythm pattern that repeats every 4 bars.

• A chord progression that skips the 4th chord.

• A technique where a note is held over to create tension.

What is a passing 6-4 chord?

• A chord that skips the 6th degree.

• A second inversion chord used between two other chords.

• A chord that only uses root position.

• A chord that resolves to the tonic.

What is the effect of using a Tiësto Picardy?

• It makes the piece sound more minor.

• It simplifies the harmony.

• It adds a brighter, major finish to a minor piece.

• It introduces a new key signature.

How can chromatic chords enhance harmony?

• By adding unexpected color and tension.

• By making the harmony more predictable.

• By simplifying the melody.

• By reducing the number of chords used.

What is a secondary dominant?

• A chord that resolves to the subdominant.

• A dominant chord that resolves to a chord other than the tonic.

• A chord that skips the dominant.

• A chord that is always in root position.

What is the purpose of using a diminished 7th chord?

• To add chromatic color and tension.

• To simplify the harmony.

• To resolve to the tonic.

• To avoid using the dominant.

What is the main goal of transforming basic harmony?

• To make it more technically correct.

• To make it more interesting and effective.

• To reduce the number of chords.

• To increase the tempo.