The Vertical Dimension

If melody is horizontal (notes over time), harmony is vertical (notes stacked simultaneously). When you hear a choir singing in four parts, the melody is what the soprano sings. The harmony is what happens when all four voices combine. Harmony adds richness, tension, and emotional depth to music.

Harmony is built from chords — three or more notes played together. The most basic chord is a triad: three notes stacked in thirds. A major triad (like C-E-G) sounds bright and stable. A minor triad (like A-C-E) sounds darker and more emotional.