Level 1 · Lesson 6
Building a Harmonisation
From melody to chord — identify the tonal centre, distinguish non-chord tones, build the harmonic skeleton and choose an accompaniment.
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Pause Culture · Harmonisation
Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
When the Paris Conservatoire jury criticized his unconventional harmonizations, Debussy replied: 'My only rule is my own pleasure.' He refused to treat harmony rules as immutable l…
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À retenir : Harmonization rules are guides, but the ear remains the final judge.
Identifying the tonal center
Before choosing a single chord, the first question is: in what tonal landscape does the melody move? Tonality is a force of attraction — the melody shows its preferences, its resting points, its poles of repose. Several clues help identify them.
There is often no absolute certainty. Harmonization is an art of interpretation: one proposes the most coherent and natural reading for the ear.
Click a clue to learn more.
♭#
Key signature
↑½
Leading tone
⏸
Stable points
||
Final cadence
♯♮
Accidental alterations
The 5 steps of harmonization
1
Identify the tonal center
Key signature, leading tone, stable points, final cadence, accidental alterations.
2
Identify the real notes
Isolate the harmonic structure from ornaments — passing notes, neighbor notes, suspensions, etc.
3
Propose candidate chords
Find the diatonic chords containing the real notes. Verify T–SD–D–T logic.
4
Build the skeleton
Realize the progression in 3–4 voices following voice-leading rules.
5
Write the accompaniment
Choose the style that matches the melodic tension curve.
Common mistake: wanting to harmonize every note with a different chord. Result: chaotic harmonic rhythm. Most notes are non-chord tones — they don't need their own chord.