rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryharmonicMusical harmony
adjective

harmonic

har-MAH-nik/hɑːrˈmɑːnɪk/

Relating to the combination of musical notes into harmony.

The pianist creates a harmonic combination by sounding three notes together.

A pianist sounds a visible three-note chord while a nearby listener responds with quiet pleasure, linking simultaneous musical tones to an agreeable combined sound.
Etymology
harmonGreekjoining; concord of sounds
+icGreekrelating to

Harmonia literally meant a “means of joining,” including the joining of ship-planks, and also meant concord of sounds. Harmonic describes musical tones that fit together pleasingly.

In context

David Bruce Composer16:32
western music where close intervals are thought of as dissonant and harmonic intervals like the fifth are considered consonant
Dissonance is the Heart of Good Music

More examples

  • She analyzed the song's harmonic structure.
  • The composer introduced an unexpected harmonic change.
  • The voices formed a pleasing harmonic combination.

Forms

harmonic

harmony noun — the combination of musical notes

Similar words

melodic
Melodic concerns successive notes in a tune; harmonic concerns notes combined in harmony.
rhythmic
Rhythmic concerns timing patterns; harmonic concerns combinations of pitch.