One of the reasons that you should learn the piano is that you can play both melody and harmony. The piano keyboard allows you to play the melody as well as harmony. But have you ever wondered about the difference between the two? And why is it so special to play them together? Let’s find the answers in this article. We will discuss the difference between melody and harmony and you will learn the importance of playing them together.
When you listen to a complete music piece, you generally listen to the combination of melodies and harmonies. The perfect blend of melody and harmony allows a music piece to sound mesmerizing. It’s the friendship of melody and harmony that completes a music piece, but as two friends, the melody and harmony also have their separate identities and unique traits.
Meaning
Melody
Melody is the series of notes played in a specified sequence to create a pleasing series of vibrations.
Harmony
Harmony occurs when two or more notes are played simultaneously to overlap the vibrations and create a pleasing group of vibrations.
Composition
Melody
Melody is composed of individual notes. To play a melody, you need to play single notes in a set pattern or order. When you combine different notes, then you are creating a melody. Single notes are the basic unit of each melody. You can recognize melody when you listen to clear, separate notes.
Harmony
Harmony is composed of numerous notes played simultaneously. In other words, harmonies are composed of chords. When you combine different chords together, then you create harmony. A combination of two or more notes played together is the basic unit in harmony. You can recognize harmony when you listen to overlapping notes.
Separate And Simultaneous
Melody
When you play a melody, you press one piano key at a time. Melody is like a house that has separate rooms for each note. No note is allowed to enter the room of the other. Each note has to be played on its chance so that its vibrations are clear and distinguished.
Harmony
You know that you are playing a harmony when you have to play two or more notes at the same time. Harmony is the house that believes in roommates and allows night stays. Any note can go to the room of another note till they sound delightful to the ears. Overlapping of the notes is the prime characteristic of harmony.
Scales And Chord Progressions
Melody
Melody employs scales to create music. Most melodies are the result of pleasing scales. Scales are the groups of notes organized in a specific order to create a mesmerizing piece of music. Scales allow you to play the notes on an octave in such a pattern that will please the ears and soul of the listener. Every piece of music uses the same seven notes: A B C D E F G, but it is the scales and different patterns of these notes that help each piece remain unique. There are two types of scales, major scales and minor scales. One of the most common major scales is C major, C D E F G A B C.
Harmony
Harmony employs chord progressions to create music. A chord progression is a series of different chords designed to play harmonies. You will notice that in numerous songs the chord used is the same, but the chord progression is different. Chord progression helps a composer add variations and stand out from the crowd.
Foreground And Background
Melody
Melody is at the foreground of a music piece. When you listen to a song and start humming, then you are imitating the melody. When you remember a song based on its music, then you recognize the melody of the song. This happens because melody performs on the front stage and is easily memorable and recognizable. Melody is like the lead singer and intriguingly it is performed by the leads in a band. Melody is the prime tune of music and a song cannot be created without melodies. Generally, the melody is played using high notes so it is easy to hear and recognize.
Harmony
Harmony is the background of a music piece. Harmony is the supporter of the melody. Harmony enhances the melody and adds value to the music piece. A simple music piece can be created without harmony, but it won’t be very impressive or effective. Harmony adds emotion to the melodies. Harmony is like the background dancer that helps present the melody at its best in order to impress the audience. If a background dancer goes wrong, then the main dancer also suffers. Thus, harmonies are equally important and should be played carefully.
Dependence
Melody
Melodies are independent. Melody can exist without harmony. Harmony adds effect to melodies and makes them more interesting, but it is not necessary to support melodies with harmonies all the time.
Harmony
Harmony is dependent on melodies. First, melodies are created and then harmony is designed based on the existing melody. A harmony cannot exist without a melody. Harmony is the supporter and it needs something to support. Melody leads the group, harmony follows it.
Horizontal And Vertical
Melody
When you read sheet music, you will notice that melodies are represented horizontally. Since melody means one note at a time, the notes in the melody are placed horizontally. The horizontal series of notes on the sheet music is the melody.
Harmony
You can recognize harmony when there is a vertical representation of notes in sheet music. Since harmony involves playing numerous notes simultaneously, the notes in a harmony are represented vertically. The vertical line of notes instructs you to play all the notes mentioned on that line together.
Now you understand the difference between melody and harmony. Next time you listen to a song, you will be able to identify both. It is beneficial for a piano player to learn how to distinguish between the melodies and the harmonies. A piano allows you to play both at the same time, and knowing the difference allows you to understand and control your actions. After reading about the differences, you will notice that reading sheet music becomes a level easier.
To play a piece of music at the advanced level, you need to master both melody and harmony. It is advisable to start by learning the melody, and then slowly move to harmony. You can achieve a perfect combination when you master the art of coordinating both your hands. Melody and harmony walk together, and melody can stand alone, but harmony cannot survive without melody. Harmony always supports the melody, and both are equally important while playing a music piece.
