Most musicians learn harmony wrong

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares insights on writing emotional music through harmony, emphasizing the importance of voice leading over traditional chord progressions. By shifting focus from chords to how individual voices move, composers can create smoother, more expressive harmony. The speaker highlights how the best composers, like Chopin, used voice leading to shape their music in unexpected yet natural ways. The lesson encourages composers to explore new harmonic paths and avoid relying on repetitive progressions, offering a fresh approach to crafting personal and emotional music.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chords alone don't define good harmony; voice leading is the key to emotional and expressive music.
• 😀 Most musicians wrongly believe that learning more chords is the path to better harmony.
• 😀 Harmony should be viewed as a journey rather than a static series of chords.
• 😀 Voice leading focuses on how individual voices (or notes) move and interact to create smooth, natural transitions.
• 😀 The emotional power of music comes from the smooth motion of voices, not just stacking chords.
• 😀 Chopin's music is an example of how voice leading creates organic and expressive harmonic progressions.
• 😀 Instead of analyzing chords, focus on how the individual voices move and connect in a progression.
• 😀 By using voice leading, composers can create unexpected harmonic journeys that sound natural and engaging.
• 😀 Chromatic side slipping—small voice movements by half steps—can connect distant chords and keys in a seamless way.
• 😀 Music theory is not just about naming chords; it’s about understanding the emotional journey those chords take the listener on.
• 😀 Moving away from rigid chord progressions allows you to create more personal, unique, and emotionally resonant music.

Q & A

What is the main idea behind the script?

The script emphasizes that the key to writing emotional music lies in focusing on voice leading rather than just learning more chords. It suggests that harmony is an expressive journey where the smooth movement of voices is more important than stacking chords.

How does the speaker view the traditional approach to learning harmony?

The speaker believes that the traditional approach of learning more and more chords is not the full story. While learning chords is important, it doesn't capture the expressive potential of harmony, which is better understood through voice leading.

What is voice leading, and why is it important?

Voice leading refers to how individual voices or parts move and interact with one another to create harmony. It's important because it shapes the flow and expression of music, allowing it to feel more natural, cohesive, and emotionally rich.

Why does the speaker suggest stopping the focus on chords?

The speaker suggests shifting focus from chords to voice leading because chords alone don't explain how harmony works or the emotional journey in music. Voice leading, by contrast, creates a smooth, natural progression that is more expressive and personal.

What role does chromatic side slipping play in harmony?

Chromatic side slipping involves moving a voice by half steps in unexpected directions. It adds subtlety and fluidity to the harmonic progression, allowing the composer to explore surprising key shifts while maintaining a sense of continuity and emotional expression.

How does Chopin's 'Prelude in E minor' demonstrate good voice leading?

In Chopin's 'Prelude in E minor,' the harmony doesn't follow traditional chord progressions but instead uses smooth voice leading where each voice moves step by step. This creates a natural, flowing journey that enhances the emotional impact of the piece.

What is the significance of the B major chord in Chopin's 'Prelude in E minor'?

The B major chord serves as a midpoint in the piece, but rather than resolving immediately, it creates tension. Chopin then pulls the harmony back, repeating the journey but with increased urgency, which heightens the emotional intensity of the music.

How do unexpected harmonic shifts in Chopin's work contribute to its emotional effect?

The unexpected harmonic shifts in Chopin's work, achieved through voice leading, create a sense of surprise while still feeling natural. This builds emotional depth and keeps the listener engaged, making the music feel personal and expressive.

What does the speaker mean by 'block chords,' and why should they be avoided?

Block chords refer to static chord progressions where all voices move together in rigid, predetermined patterns. The speaker advises against this approach, as it lacks the fluidity and emotional expressiveness that come from focusing on individual voice movements.

What is the purpose of the 5-day composing event mentioned in the script?

The purpose of the 5-day composing event is to allow participants to apply the principles of voice leading and harmony discussed in the video. It's designed to be fun and gamified, providing an opportunity to learn and create music in a collaborative, community-driven environment.