Harmony in Synthwave

Harmony plays a vital role in synthwave music, providing the rich textures and emotional depth that underpin captivating melodies and themes. The harmonic framework shapes the listener's experience, creating a sense of nostalgia, excitement, or introspection. This chapter explores the principles of harmony in synthwave, focusing on common practices, chord structures, and techniques that will help you elevate your compositions.

Understanding Harmony in Synthwave

1. Role of Harmony

  • Emotional Support: Harmonic progressions complement and enhance the emotional content of melodies. They create an emotional backdrop that helps convey the story of the music.
  • Tension and Resolution: Harmony establishes tension that can be resolved, guiding the listener through changes in mood and emotions. This dynamic interplay is crucial for keeping the audience engaged.
  • Foundation for Arrangement: Harmony serves as a foundational element upon which other musical components, such as melodies and rhythms, are built. Understanding harmony will facilitate arrangement decisions and song structure.

2. Common Chord Structures

  • Triads: The basis of harmony in many compositions, triads consist of three notes (root, third, fifth). In synthwave, major and minor triads are predominantly used to evoke different emotional responses.
  • Seventh Chords: Adding a fourth note to triads creates seventh chords, which introduce greater complexity and richness. Common examples include major seventh (Imaj7) and minor seventh (imin7) chords.
  • Extended Chords: Incorporating ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths adds texture and sophistication to your harmonies, enriching the overall sound.

3. Harmonic Progressions

  • Essential Progressions: Understand a few common chord progressions that evoke different moods:
    • I – V – vi – IV: Creates a sense of excitement and optimism, commonly seen in upbeat tracks.
    • I – vi – IV – V: Instills nostalgia; this classic pop progression works well in synthwave masterpieces.
    • vi – IV – I – V: Offers a slightly more melancholic feel, making it suitable for reflective moments.

4. Harmonic Rhythm

  • Pulse of Harmony: The rhythmic placement of chords can influence the overall feel of the piece. Consider how the changing of chords aligns with the rhythmic structure of your track.
  • Syncopation: Introducing syncopated rhythms within your chord progressions can create compelling grooves, making your harmonies feel more dynamic and alive.

Techniques for Developing Harmony in Synthwave

1. Using Modal Interchange

  • What is Modal Interchange?: Borrowing chords from parallel modes can create unexpected emotional shifts and add uniqueness to your progressions. For example, you might borrow a minor chord from C minor when working in C major.
  • Practical Application: Start with a progression in a major key, then switch to its parallel minor for certain chords, enhancing the emotional weight of the piece when needed.

2. Voice Leading

  • Smooth Connections: Effective voice leading involves moving from one chord to another with minimal movement between notes. This approach creates a pleasing and cohesive sound.
  • Practical Tip: When writing progressions, look for common tones among chords and strive to keep individual voices (notes) close together to maintain fluidity.

3. Layering Harmonies

  • Adding Depth: Layer harmonies with the use of multiple synths or textures, complementing the main harmonic line. This not only thickens the sound but also helps reinforce the emotional impact.
  • Example: Use a lower-pitched pad to support the main harmony, while a higher-pitched synth plays complementary harmonies or counter-melodies above.

4. Incorporating Counterpoint

  • Creating Interest: Adding a counter-melody can significantly enrich the harmonic tapestry of your track. The interplay between the primary melody and the counterpoint can increase the complexity and sophistication.
  • Tip: Ensure that the counter melody complements or contrasts interestingly with the main melody while adhering to the same harmonic framework.

5. Utilizing Effects to Enhance Harmony

  • String Effects: Using reverb, delay, and modulation can add depth and texture to harmonies, making them feel expansive and lush—hallmarks of synthwave.
  • Tip: Experiment with different types of modulation effects, such as chorus or flanger, on synth pads to create a rich harmonic environment.

Practical Workflow for Composing Harmonies

  1. Choose Your Key: Start by selecting a key that fits the mood you want to communicate in your synthwave track.
  2. Create Chord Progressions: Develop a primary chord progression that supports your melody, using triads or extended chords as necessary.
  3. Explore Voicings: Experiment with different voicings of your chords to create a more interesting harmonic texture.
  4. Layer Textures: Begin layering harmonies with different synths while keeping the focus on the emotional narrative of the track.
  5. Refine Through Experimentation: Listen back to your harmony in conjunction with melodies and rhythms, making adjustments to ensure that they complement each other.

Conclusion

Harmony in synthwave is essential for evoking emotions and enhancing the compositional landscape. By understanding the fundamentals of harmony and employing effective techniques, you can create rich and engaging harmonies that resonate with listeners. As we move forward in this book, we will further explore how to integrate these harmonic principles into your overall synthwave compositions, focusing on melody, rhythm, and arrangement to create powerful trailer music.