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Topic: Harmonizing in thirds (Read 2643 times) previous topic - next topic

Harmonizing in thirds

A while back (don't know how long ago), there was a post about harmonizing a melody in thirds. Can anyone find that post for me and retrieve it. Also, how do you all using chant notations deal with the recitatives? Just looking for new alternatives, if any.

Thanks,
Michael

Re: Harmonizing in thirds

Reply #2 –
Yes, thanks this is what I'm looking for. I assume, I can harmonize a third above, or a third below usng this technique?

Michael

Re: Harmonizing in thirds

Reply #3 –
Better above than below.

Shifting the notes is not the same as transposing. When a note is shifted, its graphical location (and therefore, pitch) is changed. Whether or not the graphical shift of 2 positions (line to line, or space to space) corresponds to a pitch change of 4 semitones or 3 semitones depends on where the note is indexed in the scale. (Could be other than 4 or 3, if you are using more exotic scales or accidentals, but that's unlikely in things such as folk music.)

An upward shift from the melody will produce 4 or 3 semitone pitch changes in "the right places" most of the time. But a downward shift from the melody may have a greater incidence of incorrect pitch shifts.

Nevertheless, you can fix incorrect pitches by adding (or removing) accidentals, as necessary. I sing Bass, so am used to harmonizing a third downwards from melody - except it is not always a third. Often, it needs to be another interval. This can be corrected manually.