Harmonizing Melodies in Right Hand Piano

[outstretchedarm]

I'm trying to learn to play melodies in my right-hand, but I feel it will go easier and more rewardingly if learn to do it in harmonies.

Does anyone know what the "standard" way is to harmonize a melody in C?  I was once watching ths DVD where the sister tried to explain it, but I didn't get they way she broke it down. 

Meaning, if you want to play the soprano with your right pinky, the alto with your middle finger and the tenor with your thumb, I'm under the impression there is a standard way to do this in each key once you know the melody.

In another place, I've once heard it said that if you know 7 chords, you can harmonize any melody.  Does this have anything to do with it?

Any assistance provided would be useful.  I always try to do some research before I begin practicing a new technique to make sure I am practicing something profitable.

[MMCOGICboy]

Try this out:
E-G-C
F-A-D
G-C-E
A-C-F
C-E-G
C-F-A
D-G-B
E-G-C

All these are chords

[outstretchedarm]

this look like it could be it!

I can't wait to get home and try it!

does anyone know what is the theory behind this, why i works?

[playhear]

this look like it could be it!

I can't wait to get home and try it!

does anyone know what is the theory behind this, why i works?

That's a really loaded question.

In short, it has to do with scale degrees (notes of the scale), chords associated with those degrees and proper inversion of those chords.  You should learn your scales and realize that every note has an associated number (or degree).  Then learn the chords that can be played with the particular note.  Each melody note will (95% of the time) be in the chord you need to play.  Invert the chord such that the melody note (which is part of the chord) is on top.

To use the examples from above:

E-G-C = I chord with 1 note on top
F-A-D = ii chord with 2 note on top
G-B-E = iii chord with 3 note on top
G-C-E = I chord with 3 note on top
A-C-F = IV chord with 4 note on top
C-E-G = I chord with 5 note on top
C-F-A = IV chord with 6 note on top
D-G-B = V chord with 7 note on top
E-G-C = I chord with 1 note on top

Note that these examples are only a small tip of the iceberg of how you can harmonize.  If you are not understanding the numbers, you need to step back and spend some time learning theory.

[outstretchedarm]

I do understand that scale degrees and some theory.

for instance...if I'm not mistaken..the third chord there is G-C-E, which is C (the I chord) with 2 on top, not iii (Em).

What I'm trying to understand is (and here goes my philosophical mind) why?

why is it that when I play "G" harmonized, it harmonizes "best" in the key of C as a C chord?  Is it just because we are in C?

[playhear]

I do understand that scale degrees and some theory.

for instance...if I'm not mistaken..the third chord there is G-C-E, which is C (the I chord) with 2 on top, not iii (Em).

What I'm trying to understand is (and here goes my philosophical mind) why?

why is it that when I play "G" harmonized, it harmonizes "best" in the key of C as a C chord?  Is it just because we are in C?

Thank you for the catch of my error.  I changed it.

Regarding your question, that's not always the case.  In the key of C, sometimes that G will be harmonized with, for example, a V chord or maybe a iii chord.  For example:

B-D-G = V chord with 5 note on top
B-E-G = iii chord with 5 note on top

It depends on the context of that note within the melody and the chords surrounding that note.

Each chord has it's own feel and tends to be surrounded by certain chords.  A melody note will tend to sound best with a chord containing the particular melody note being played.  Meanwhile, the chords gravitate toward a certain relationship with each other.  For example, chords tend to want to lead into their 4th and be preceded by their 5th.  See Circle of Fifths.

[outstretchedarm]

I hear you man.

[T-Block]

The way you can tell what chord to harmonize your melody note with is by looking at what the bass / LH is doing.  If you bass tells you to go to 5, and your melody note is G, then most likely you will need to play that 5 chord, B-D-G. 

Also, remember that the chords built off the scale degrees of the major scale are your main arsenal of chords.  So, pick a chord has your melody note in it then see if it fits with the bass note.  If it fits, then go on to the next one.  If it doesn't, then keep trying until something fits.

Sometimes, you can play chords and they won't contain your melody note at all.  This is when you are mainly accompanying a singer, rather than playing word for word.

I do understand that scale degrees and some theory.

for instance...if I'm not mistaken..the third chord there is G-C-E, which is C (the I chord) with 2 on top, not iii (Em).

What I'm trying to understand is (and here goes my philosophical mind) why?

why is it that when I play "G" harmonized, it harmonizes "best" in the key of C as a C chord?  Is it just because we are in C?

Because it is a natural member of the C major chord.  Since it is already present in the chord, then it should harmonize and sound good.

Be careful about saying a note harmonizes "best" with something, cuz melody notes can be harmonized with many different chords and sound just as good.

[outstretchedarm]

Thanks T,

I guess I'm just trying to find my style.  there are so many styles and approaches on this website, that sometimes I get overwhelmed and I haven't even gotten into it yet.  i just want to decide on an approach then go for it.  which is why i talk in terms of "best," meaning i want to design a style and then go for it.