BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
8740 / 18210 · Workshop 71 — Countermelody and Inner-Line Arranging: Writing a Second Voice That Supports the Tune Without Fighting It← prev⊞ allnext →

71.12Level 7 — avoid constant thirds below melody

A common beginner approach:

“harmonize melody in thirds.”

That creates a supporting harmony line, but not necessarily a true countermelody.

A countermelody should sometimes:

  • move differently
  • rest differently
  • have its own contour

Otherwise it is simply harmonization.