1. Demystifying Melodic Harmonization
AP Annual Conference 2013
The Venetian
Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, July 20, 2:45pm—4:00pm
Terry Eder, Presenter
Plano Senior High School, Plano, TX

2. The Melodic Harmonization Puzzle
A Step-by-Step Process
Reliable Formulas
Understanding the Task
Connecting the Written and Aural
Understanding Common Practice Harmonic Progression

3. Writing Cadences
Economy of Harmonic Materials
Writing the 2013 FR Question 7
2013 Student Samples
Summary and Review

4. The 3 “Magic” Chords: I, IV & V
Only need 3 chords or so to be successful
Can you harmonize with these chords?
I IV V (7)
Mostly root position
Additional chords:
ii (7) V/V

5. Step 1: Harmonize the Cadences
Simplest endings are best
Use most common cadences
Authentic cadence
Half cadence
(Deceptive cadence)

6. Cadences in Order of Common Use: Authentic Cadence
Melody Examples: Cadence: M—R—D V(7) I D—T—D S—T—D L—T—D ii 6 V(7) I L—T—D IV V(7) I

7. Cadences in Order of Common Use: Half Cadence
Melody Examples: Cadence:
M—R I V
D—R
D—T
R—T ii (6) V
Fi—S V(7)/V V
R—S

10. When you have written the Cadences, you are almost halfway there!

11. Step 2: Understanding Basic Harmonic Progression

12. Step 3: Connect the Dots Keep it simple
Use these chords—they are all you need!
I, I 6, ii (6), IV, V (7)

13. Some suggestions to consider
Set up each cadence with a preparation chord (e.g., cadential six-four before V-I; I, ii or IV before V or V/V)
Start a phrase with a root position I if possible; second option would be a V
V likes to go to I
IV likes to go to ii and I or V
ii(6) likes to go to V

14. Suggestions continued--
A raised 4th scale degree is harmonized with a V(7)/V
Use plenty of contrary motion
Look at the melody and see what family the predominant harmony would be, and pay attention to notes on the strong beats
It is not an “egregious” error to write an occasional half note

15. Writing FR Question 7

16. Let’s SING!

17. Write the Cadences First

18. Add a Prep Chord for Each Cadence

19. Connect the Dots

20. 2013 Student Samples

21. Commentary

22. 2013 Student Samples

23. Commentary

24. 2013 Student Samples

25. Commentary

26. Summary and Review
If you are asked to spell the word CAT in English, don’t try and spell it KAT because that is not the correct answer to the question.
The question in FR 7 is: Do you understand harmonic progression in the Common Practice style?
That means do you understand how to use cadences, do you know how chords progress from one to the next in the Common Practice style?

27. Things to Remember
Write the bass notes and final two chords of each cadence first (you can only end on I, V or (vi) in the Common Practice style)
If the final chord of a cadence is I—then the preceding chord is usually V
If the melody of a phrase ends on scale degree 2—then the chord used should be V

28. Things to Remember
If the fourth scale degree is raised—then harmonize with V/V to V
Use I, ii or IV before V
3—2—1 melodic ending = V- I
To help smooth out the bass line, use 1st inversion chords only (with the exception of the cadential 6-4)

29. Things to Remember Watch out for illegal parallels
Write cadence chords in root position
Be sure you understand the question: it is asking if you understand harmonic progression in the Common Practice style; it is not asking you to write an original composition!
Follow these guidelines and I predict that success will be yours and your students!

30. Share Your Feedback On This Session
And Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Visit the conference website at apac.collegeboard.org
Click on “Earn Main Conference CEUs”
From there you will be taken to the CEU Online Platform
Questions?
While onsite, visit the information desk at the Sands Expo – Upper Lobby
After the event write to: