Harmony course

[heavyrocker]

i wanted to attend a harmony course and sb told me i had to learn playnig a keyboard or piano first.so i just wanted to see if u've got any info about that course and how effective that would be?

 

[Stumbo]

IME, yeah, playing piano will help since you'll have to write some original tunes in the course demonstrating your harmony knowledge. I mean, you can write for any instrument but keyboard familiarity is most helpful since you'll be competing with other students who have been playing for years.

 

[Jim Carr]

Not only that. When you study harmony, you spend a lot of time learning how to connect 4-part (4-note) chords in smooth and effective ways. It is part of understanding the polyphonic tradition from which all classical, Jazz and rock has sprung.

If you can play the homework and the examples fluently, you have a chance of learning what the course is teaching. Otherwise, you are basically wasting your time and everyone else's, IMHO.

BTW, I have taught harmony at San Francisco State University, Columbia, and Stanford. I assure you, keyboard skill is essential. Be able to sight ready four part hymns, Bach Chorales, and any simple two part piano music.

 

[JimmyM]

Even if you only learn enough keyboard to play what's known as "arranger's piano," it's a great skill to have. The best thing about it is it's a graphic representation of the notes, and each note is easily identifiable as opposed to a bass or guitar where it looks the same on every note. When you can "see" the notes as well as hear them, it really makes harmony easier to understand. So yes, you absolutely should learn it.

And for future reference, when you debate whether picking up extra knowledge is worth it or not, the answer is always "yes."

 

[EADG mx]

With piano you get the most important part of studying harmony: being able to hear it. You will also pick up a few things you can apply to your bass playing as well.

Learning some piano is never a bad idea for any musician.