The Magic of Harmony

There's something almost supernatural about two voices singing different notes that fit together perfectly. Harmony is one of the most emotionally powerful tools in music, and it's a learnable skill.

Understanding Intervals

Harmony is built on intervals — the distance between two pitches. The most common harmony intervals are:

  • Thirds — the most natural-sounding harmony, used in virtually all pop and country music
  • Fifths — powerful, open-sounding, common in folk and gospel
  • Sixths — warm and sweet, often used in close harmony singing
  • Octaves — technically harmony, though they sound like the same note in a different register

How to Find a Harmony Part

If you're harmonizing above the melody:

  • Sing the melody in your head
  • Find the note a third above each melody note
  • That's your harmony

    • This is easier said than done — it requires strong ear training and the ability to hear two notes simultaneously.

    Ear Training Is the Key

    The biggest barrier to singing harmony is the tendency to drift back to the melody. Your ear has to be trained to hold its own part while hearing another. This takes time and deliberate practice.

    Exercises that help:

    • Sing along with recordings, matching the harmony part
    • Practice with a partner, each holding a different note
    • Use a piano to play the melody while you sing the harmony

    We Teach Harmony at All Levels

    Our Bellevue vocal instructors incorporate harmony training into lessons for students who are ready for it. Ask your instructor when you're ready to add this skill.