10/17/2020 Harmonization Tutorial
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Harmonization Tutorial
Learn how to harmonize a melody in RapidComposer
You can auto-harmonize a melody line in RapidComposer. Harmonization works by
nding suitable chords for a melody, that are placed on the master track after
analysing the melody notes. Two algorithms are o ered by RapidComposer.
Step 1: Insert the melody
phrase in a track
The melody phrase can contain absolute or relative notes, and the source can be
anything (imported from MIDI le, recorded, generated, manually edited, etc).
Step 2: Make sure the scale is
set correctly on the master
track
The harmonization will use the master track scale as the base scale, so it should
match the melody scale. Not just the scale but also the signature (beats per bar)
has to be set, if you'd like to insert chords on [Link] on the master track to set
the scale and signature:
Step 3: Open the phrase
inspector
Right-click (secondary click) on the melody phrase.
Display the actions associated with phrases by clicking on the small gear icon at
the top of the inspector:
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10/17/2020 Harmonization Tutorial
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Step 4: Click on the 'Harmonize
Melody' button
Look for 'Harmonize Melody' in the list of actions, and click on the button.
The inspector will look like this:
Step 5: Choose your preferred
settings
There are two kinds of harmonization that RapidComposer o ers, each with its
own settings. Below you will nd the explanation of these settings.
Basic Functional
This is a simple harmonization that was used in the 18th century, usually it gives
very good results. For each melody note, one or two (rarely three) possible chords
can be used.
Specify how often you want the insert a new chord.
Possibilities are On Bars, On Bars Or Strong Beats
Chord Change:
(Automatic), On Strong Beats, On Beats. The program
won't insert a new chord when it is not necessary.
Select if the supertonic, mediant and submediant chords
can be used in the harmonization, and in what extent. If
Allow II, III, VI:
you select 'No', only the primary chords (I, IV, V) will be
used.
Select if the dominant 7th chord can be used in the
Allow Dominant 7th:
harmonization, and in what extent.
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When it is possible (the melody notes allow) you can force
Start With: the harmonization to start with a chord. Possible choices
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are Any, I, V, I or V.
When it is possible (the melody notes allow) you can force
the harmonization to end with a chord. Possible choices
End With:
are Any, I, With Perfect Cadence (I-V-I), With
Imperfect Cadence (II-V-I).
There are several possibilities to use chord inversions,
because the root positions will rarely sound good. This is
not required though, because you can choose to
transpose the phrases (manually or automatically by
Chord Inversions: using phrase magnets) or enable the master track
magnet that also inverts chords for better voice leading.
Options are: None, Adjust Highest Chord Note To
Melody, Minimize Chord Note Distances, Minimize
Bass Movement, Minimize Highest Note Movement.
For your convenience a harmony track can be added
which lets you immediately listen to the results of the
harmonization. When such a track has already been
Add 'Harmony' Track: added, it is updated after each harmonization. Feel free
to set a di erent instrument, or change the transposition
for this track, because the track settings won't be reset.
Only the phrases inside this track are updated.
By Available Chords (Based on Rules)
This algorithm builds a valid chord progression on the melody notes. Please note if
the rules and settings are too restrictive, the program may not nd a solution. A
pop-up message will notify you about it, and that you should relax the rules.
The chord progression rule contains the weights
(probabilities) of the 'next' possible chords and is editable
Rule Set:
in RapidComposer. Make sure you use the right tonality,
that should be in accordance with the master track scale.
Specify how often you want the insert a new chord.
Possibilities are On Bars, On Bars Or Strong Beats
Chord Change:
(Automatic), On Strong Beats, On Beats. The program
won't insert a new chord when it is not necessary.
Select how the next chord is chosen using weights.
Choices: Most Expected (use the chord with the highest
weight; there is no randomness), Expected (select one
randomly from the rst two highest weights), Less
Expectedness: Expected (ignore the highest weight, select one
randomly from the 2nd and 3rd highest weights),
Unexpected (ignore the rst 2 highest weights, select
randomly from rest), Random (select any of the possible
'next' chords randomly, ignore weights).
Select if 6th and 7th chords can be used in the
Allow 6th and 7th: harmonization. Options: No, Only 6th, Only 7th, Both
6th and 7th
When it is possible (the melody notes allow) you can force
Start With: the harmonization to start with a chord. Possible choices
are Any, I, V, I or V.
When it is possible (the melody notes allow) you can force
the harmonization to end with a chord. Possible choices
End With:
are Any, I, With Perfect Cadence (I-V-I), With
Imperfect Cadence (II-V-I).
There are several possibilities to use chord inversions,
because the root positions will rarely sound good. This is
not required though, because you can choose to
transpose the phrases (manually or automatically by
Chord Inversions: using phrase magnets) or enable the master track
magnet that also inverts chords for better voice leading.
Options are: None, Adjust Highest Chord Note To
Melody, Minimize Chord Note Distances, Minimize
Bass Movement, Minimize Highest Note Movement.
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For your convenience a harmony track can be added
which lets you immediately listen to the results of the
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harmonization. When such a track has already been
Add 'Harmony' Track: added, it is updated after each harmonization. Feel free
to set a di erent instrument, or change the transposition
for this track, because the track settings won't be reset.
Only the phrases inside this track are updated.
Step 6: Press 'Auto-Harmonize'.
After you pressed the 'Auto-Harmonize' button, the master track is lled with
chords, and the optional 'Harmony' track is lled with phrases. You can review the
results immediately. Feel free to press the 'Auto-Harmonize' button again to get
di erent chords (if the algorithm allows random decisions).
Result:
Step 7: Done!
Congratulations, you have completed this tutorial!
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