Lesson 14 of 84 · Harmony
⭐ 30 XP🎼 Harmony HallCounterpoint and Bach
A pedal point is a sustained or repeated note (usually in the bass) while harmonies change above it.
🎯 Your mission
Two notes together — does it feel calm or tense?
⚡ The twist
Major sounds bright. Minor sounds soft. Both are beautiful.
Listen for this
🎧 Pick out the lowest note. That's the bass — the foundation.
Artist Spotlight
🌟 Bach wrote so many harmonies he basically invented the rules everyone still uses.
Mind = Blown
🤯 Some cultures use scales with 22 notes — way more than the 7 you know.
Learn about counterpoint and bach: understand voice leading principles
What You'll Learn
A pedal point is a sustained or repeated note (usually in the bass) while harmonies change above it.
Understand voice leading principles
Compose a simple chord accompaniment
Check Your Understanding
Question 1 of 3
What does 'consonant' mean in music?
Where you hear this in real life
The reason songs make you feel things is harmony doing its quiet job underneath.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Listen to any song. Try to hear the bass line.
For the dinner table
“Play one song together. Talk about what feeling it gave you and why.”
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