A Practical Introduction to Composition: Harmony Simplified (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Francis L. York

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0364560266 ISBN 13: 9780364560266

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Master harmony made simple with practical, hands-on exercises you can apply today.

Harmony Simplified offers a clear, step-by-step route through the building blocks of tonal music. It explains how chords are formed, how voices move smoothly, and how different chords function within major and minor keys. The book emphasizes practical writing and analysis, with examples you can sing or play to hear how theory sounds in real music.

• Learn how triads and seventh chords are built, placed in close or open positions, and used in common progressions.
• Master rules for smooth voice-leading, including when to hold a note and how to avoid awkward parallels.
• Explore the minor mode and harmonic minor scale, plus how to adapt major-chord logic to a minor-key context.
• Practice with exercises and examples drawn from classical and Romantic repertoire to sharpen hearing and writing skills.

Ideal for students and hobbyists who want a solid, playable foundation in harmony without getting lost in jargon. If you’re beginning or refreshing your knowledge, this edition helps you understand not just what to do, but why it works.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0364560266
• ISBN 13: 9780364560266
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 154