How I wish HARMONY was explained to me as a student

Summary

In this insightful video, pianist and composer Nari Sol simplifies the concept of music harmony, emphasizing its cultural and contextual nature. She introduces essential ideas, like how notes vibrate together and the significance of chords and chord progressions. Nari encourages a three-dimensional view of harmony, likening chords to flowers in a bouquet. She explains the concepts of consonance and dissonance, using the color wheel as an analogy for contrasting musical elements. Throughout, she highlights that the rules of harmony are guidelines open to creative interpretation, inviting both beginners and seasoned musicians to explore her newly released book for deeper understanding.

Takeaways

• 🎹 Harmony is about how sounds vibrate together, influenced by culture and personal preference.
• 🎶 A major scale consists of seven notes, with the unique spacing between them defining their identity.
• 🌹 A single note can create harmony, similar to how a rose can be part of a bouquet.
• 🔗 The root of a chord is its strongest note, serving as the foundation for the harmonic structure.
• 🚀 Chord progressions involve changing root notes, creating a sense of movement in music.
• 🌌 Visualize chords in three dimensions, as they can orbit around each other rather than being a linear sequence.
• ⏳ Tension and release in chord progressions mirror the ups and downs of a good story, keeping the listener engaged.
• 🎨 Harmony can be thought of in terms of color, where some combinations blend well, and others create contrast.
• 🔍 The overtone series reveals that even single notes contain multiple pitches vibrating together, though they may not always be audible.
• 🎉 Musical rules are guidelines that can be followed or broken, allowing artists to experiment and express themselves freely.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Nari Sol's video on music harmony?

Nari Sol aims to explain music harmony in a simple and accessible way, breaking down complex concepts and emphasizing their practical application in music-making.

How does Nari Sol describe the relationship between single notes and chords?

Nari compares a single note to a rose and a chord to a bouquet of roses, illustrating how chords are formed by combining multiple notes to create a richer sound.

What is a chord progression, according to Nari Sol?

A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in succession, which creates musical movement and tension. It is essential for shaping the overall structure of a piece of music.

What does Nari Sol mean by the 'root' of a chord?

The root of a chord is the foundational note that holds the chord together, similar to the base of a bouquet of flowers. For example, in a C major chord, the root is the note C.

What analogy does Nari Sol use to explain musical tension and release?

Nari likens musical tension and release to the ups and downs of a good story, highlighting how effective music engages listeners by creating contrasting emotional moments.

What is the overtone series, and how does it relate to harmony?

The overtone series refers to the additional pitches that vibrate alongside a fundamental note. Although often unnoticed by untrained ears, these overtones contribute to the overall sound and richness of harmony.

How does Nari Sol describe the 'circle of fifths'?

The circle of fifths is a tool used in music theory to illustrate the relationships between different key centers. It helps musicians understand how various notes and chords relate to one another.

What distinction does Nari Sol make between consonant and dissonant sounds?

Consonant sounds are described as harmonious and settled, while dissonant sounds are perceived as less harmonious and create tension. The perception of these qualities can vary depending on the cultural and contextual framework.

In what way does Nari Sol encourage musicians regarding the rules of harmony?

Nari encourages musicians to view the rules of harmony as guidelines that can be followed or broken, similar to fashion. This flexibility allows for personal expression and creativity in music-making.

What resources does Nari Sol offer for those wanting to learn more about music theory?

Nari Sol mentions her book, 'Nari Sol's Elements of Music,' which compiles her knowledge on music theory in a practical manner, catering to both beginners and seasoned musicians.