BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
159 / 18210 · Module 5 — Harmonic Function: Tonic, Predominant, Dominant, and Why Chords “Want” to Go Somewhere← prev⊞ allnext →

5.37Melody harmonization exercise

Take a very simple melody in C.

For each important melody note:

  1. find which diatonic chords contain it
  2. identify which function you want
  3. choose accordingly

Suppose melody note = F.

Possible chords:

Dm = ii = predominant

F = IV = predominant

B° = vii° = dominant

Same melody note, but radically different harmonic function.

This gives you creative choice.