Harmony Explorer
Pick a note on the fretboard or the keyboard row and see which intervals can sit above or below it. Arcs show the distance and mark which notes belong to the key. You hear the notes one at a time and together.
How to use it
- Pick a key and a scale. Click a key or a position on the fretboard to choose a note.
- Choose whether the harmony sits above or below the note. The arcs show the distance to the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and octave.
- Pick an interval in the list or click an arc. A solid arc means the note belongs to the key.
- Press Play one by one or Play together to hear the interval, and find the notes on the fretboard.
What is a harmony in guitar playing?
A harmony is a second voice played with a melody, usually a third or a sixth above or below. Two guitars playing the same melody in thirds is the foundation of melodic death metal and classic heavy metal.
- Thirds give the sweet, singing sound.
- Fourths and fifths give a harder, emptier sound.
- Stay in the key, or the harmony soon sounds wrong.
How do I know which third fits?
The third should belong to the scale. In A minor the third above A is the note C, but above B it is D. In the tool a solid arc means the note belongs to the key, so you see at once which harmonies work.
Frequently asked questions
Should the harmony sit above or below the melody?
Both work. A third above a note and a sixth below the same note have the same note name, for example E above C and E below C. Choose the position that sits best under the hand and suits the register of the guitars. The tool lets you choose above or below for each note.
What does a solid arc mean?
That the harmony note belongs to the chosen key. A dashed arc means the note lies outside the key and can sound off against the melody. Choose another note or key if the arc is dashed.
When does a third fit and when a sixth?
Thirds and sixths give the singing, soft sound. Fourths and fifths give a harder, emptier sound. Start with thirds, and switch to sixths if a third lands awkwardly on the fretboard.
Is the third always the same size?
No. Within a key the third alternates between minor (3 semitones) and major (4). In A minor the third above A is C, a minor third, and above C it is E, a major third. Diatonic third and sixth are shown for the note as long as it belongs to the key.
Related tools
- Twin Guitar Harmonizer: Write a melody and get a second guitar part in thirds, sixths, octaves or contrary motion.
- Interval Explorer: See and hear every interval from unison to octave on guitar.
- Scale Explorer: Scales with notes, positions, tab and sound.
- Fretboard Explorer: An interactive fretboard with notes, intervals and scales.
- Metronome: Click or drums with a bouncing ball, step sequencer, spectrum, fullscreen and tap tempo.
- Tab player: Open a Guitar Pro file, see tab and notation and play along at your own tempo.