Short phrases to harmonize

Below you can find and print a series of short melodies to expand your harmonizing skills.

Try to start with the most basic solutions as you understand the structure of the phrase and the logic of its construction.

Then you can embark in more creative harmonizations. A good departing point is to replace some of the basic chords with their inversions. Try several ways and notice how the bass line changes to become more melodic (less "jumpy").

Another way can be adding a second chord in measures where you had only one. Also try replacing the most "basic" chords for less obvious, alternative solutions.

Allow your right hand to share the harmonic material with your left hand. By doing this you'll be opening up your harmonies, and your music will "breath". To this end, another useful strategy is avoiding to play your chords ALWAYS as blocks; instead, spread the notes in different parts of the measure, interacting in a livelier way with the melody.

Come back on later days to what you did before, and see if you have grown new ideas. This happen VERY often, even unconciously, as you let melodies live in your mind for a while!