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HARMONY BOOK FOR BEGINNERS
CHAPTER I
PEELIMINARY
There are certain terms and definitions which should he learned and understood thoroughly before proceeding further into the subject of Harmony.
The student may already be familiar with some or all of the following, but even in this case it is well to recapitulate.
To begin with, Sound is the result of sound-waves or vibrations of the air.
From the scientific standpoint, that branch of Physics which treats of the investigation of sound phenomena is known as Acoustics. With this study the practical musician has little to do, although it has many fascinations for the theorist.
Musical Sound is produced by regular or continuous vibration; Noise, by irregular vibration. As a class in Harmony cannot too soon begin to practice ear-training, it is suggested that practical illustrations of the foregoing definitions be had at once. Let the Pianoforte and other instruments be tried for examples of musical sounds and vibrations and let various hard objects be struck or dropped upon the floor or table in order to produce noises of various kinds.
The term Tone is applied to any musical sound.
Harmony is the combination of Tones.
In the making of music twelve tones are employed. For purposes of illustration let us refer to the keyboard of the Pianoforte. Starting from Middle 0 the white keys C, D, E, F, G, A, B give us seven tones and the black keys between C and D, D and E, F and G, G and A, A and B give us the remaining five tones. These twelve tones repeat themselves in varying depth or intensity, or in various Octaves, as they are called.
As an ear-training exercise, strike slowly and consecutively the seven white keys, beginning at middle C. Then, in the same manner, strike all twelve keys, both white and black. Afterwards, repeat the same processes, beginning with every other C upon the keyboard. This and some of the other preliminary exercises may seem very simple to the student, but it is only by slow and progressive stages, beginning with the utmost simplicity and never neglecting a step at any stage, that a good, practical working knowledge of harmony is to be obtained.
QUESTIONS
1. What is Sound ?
2. What is Acoustics ?
3. What is Musical Sound ?
4. What is Noise ?
5. What is a Tone ?
6. What is Harmony ?
7. How many Tones are used to make Music?
8. What are they ?
9. What is an Octave ?
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