Lesson 48 of 84 · Harmony
⭐ 30 XP🎼 Harmony HallJazz Chord Extensions (Part 2)
A pedal point is a sustained or repeated note (usually in the bass) while harmonies change above it.
🎯 Your mission
Stack the sound. Find the sweet spot.
⚡ The twist
If your ears think it sounds 'off' — that's the harmony asking to resolve.
Listen for this
🎧 Listen for the SECOND voice underneath the main one.
Artist Spotlight
🌟 The Beatles' three-part harmonies were so tight they sounded like one voice.
Mind = Blown
🤯 Your brain can hear an out-of-tune note even if you've never had a music lesson.
Learn about jazz chord extensions (part 2): compare harmonic styles across genres
What You'll Learn
A pedal point is a sustained or repeated note (usually in the bass) while harmonies change above it.
Compare harmonic styles across genres
Use harmonic analysis to understand a piece
Check Your Understanding
Question 1 of 3
What is an interval?
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.
Checkout complete lesson on Harmony for 8th Grade
Get the full Harmony track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.