HARMONY RULES

Every choir director knows the challenge of arranging voices to create that perfect, resonant sound. "Harmony Rules" is a straightforward, practical guide designed to help musicians and composers navigate the fundamentals of four-part writing. Rather than a piece of music to be sung, this document serves as a valuable reference sheet for the choir loft, breaking down the essential principles of chord construction and voice leading.

The guide walks through the core rules of writing chords, reminding us when to double the root, why we never double the leading note, and how to keep spacing even between the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass lines. It also provides clear instructions on crafting the four main types of cadences: perfect, plagal, imperfect, and interrupted. For anyone harmonizing a new psalm tone or arranging a traditional hymn for the local parish, these foundational rules ensure the parts move smoothly without crossing or creating parallel fifths.

Having a quick reference like this on hand makes rehearsal prep and arranging much easier. It takes the guesswork out of resolving chords and helps build that rich, balanced harmony that lifts the congregation's spirits during Mass.