Harmony Between Theory and Practice

Abstract

Harmony as an area of music education can be viewed from two different perspectives: theoretical and practical. Starting with the pioneer of modern harmony Gioseffo Zarlino and his book Institutioni Harmoniche (1558), to the seminal book by Jean-Phillippe Rameau Traite de l’Harmonie (1722) and onward, harmony is still a living matter, subject to different interpretations and theories. The purpose of studying harmony at the secondary and more advanced academic music levels is to gain a full insight into the meaning and wholeness of this concept. It can be achieved only through a balanced connection between theoretical study and practical work. One should additionally emphasize its correlational and inseparable connection to all other music-theory disciplines. With respect to this issue, this paper highlights the published manual Harmonija u Praksi [Harmony in Practice] (2016) by the same who, guided by longtime pedagogical experience, indicates and methodically finds the most appropriate link between theory and practice when teaching harmony.