Lesson 22 of 84 · Harmony
⭐ 30 XP🎼 Harmony HallHarmonizing a Melody
The blues uses dominant 7th chords on I, IV, and V.
🎯 Your mission
Train your ear to hear what's hiding underneath.
⚡ The twist
Some chords feel like a question. Others feel like an answer.
Listen for this
🎧 When the chord changes, your mood changes. Notice when.
Artist Spotlight
🌟 Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys layered up to 30 voices on a single song.
Mind = Blown
🤯 The same chord can sound happy in one song and sad in another. The CONTEXT does it.
Learn about harmonizing a melody: understand voice leading principles
What You'll Learn
The blues uses dominant 7th chords on I, IV, and V. This creates a unique, slightly dissonant harmonic language.
Understand voice leading principles
Compose a simple chord accompaniment
Notes on the Staff
Tap a note to hear it
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.
Sing any note. Then sing one that goes WITH it. What does it feel like together?
For the dinner table
“Play one song together. Talk about what feeling it gave you and why.”
Next Smart Lesson
We'll pick a music lesson that matches exactly where your ear is right now.
Share this music lesson
Send it to a parent who wants 5 minutes of music with their kid — no instrument required.
Ready?
Harmonizing a Melody
Train your ear to hear what's hiding underneath.
Full screen — no distractions
Checkout complete lesson on Harmony for 8th Grade
Get the full Harmony track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.