17.1: Harmonic Dictation Introduction
- Page ID
- 325262
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By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Complete a basic harmonic dictation
- Dictate two melodic lines at the same time
Harmonic Dictation
As has been mentioned before, training your ear is a process. Depending on your previous musical background, some concepts will be easier than others. This chapter will give you tools to complete harmonic dictations and be able to logically determine what you might be hearing, even if hearing chords has not been an area of strength. Harmonic dictation is likely a new concept, and with each new concept, give yourself plenty of time to practice and improve.
In previous chapters, we have discussed and practiced hearing rhythms and melody. There are the horizontal parts of music and are linear. We have been listening for patterns, distances between notes, and the number of sounds on a beat. In this chapter, we move our focus to the vertical part of music while still incorporating those previous ideas. Our patterns and movement is now between chords and we will also listen for the chord quality.
Key Terms
- Chord Progression: a pattern of chords that make up the harmonic structure of the phrase