View Full Version : Harmony lines
EdtheSquid
Jul-20-2007, 7:00am
I play mandolin with an irish slow session. Last night, we got into a discussion on how to create harmony parts that relate or work with a melody line.
If a tune is in the key of G, would dropping it into C work as a harmony part?
I appreciate any help in this area. My knowledge of music theory is limited and this is outside what little I know.
Thanx.
mandocrucian
Jul-20-2007, 7:32am
Twin Mandolin Method (http://www.elderly.com/books/items/46-18.htm)
Niles H
12 fret
Jul-20-2007, 7:38am
I love Elderly's descriptions, "roughly produced"
Ken Sager
Jul-20-2007, 9:46am
If a tune is in the key of G, would dropping it into C work as a harmony part?
No, simply changing keys like that won't work.
This might help you understand why:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmony
Best of luck,
Ken
Niles' Twin Mandolin Method is THE answer to all your questions. I had no idea how to write a harmony part. I bought the book, and wrote all the duets in the TAB section here at the Cafe. Not saying they are GOOD, mind you, but they work, and a few ain't bad.
MandoSquirrel
Jul-20-2007, 5:29pm
Not to take away from Niles, I often recommend his stuff but Dix Bruce also has "Mandolin Harmonix", on the same topic, someone had one in the classifieds here recently. I haven't tried it, but Dix is good mando folks, too.