How to learn to harmonize using music

Sometimes a person loves to sing, but has a hard time learning harmonies, even to general chords, when singing. And if you don't know the harmony to a song already, it may be hard to learn it from a single melody. Here are some music types that can help you improve your harmonizing skills merely by listening, learning, & singing along!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Your voice
• An understanding of melody & singing (minimal is required)
• An open mind & heart to listen to different types of music than you're used to!

1. Realize that if you enjoy hard-core rap music, you may not be able to pick up harmony very well. Don't be afraid to venture out to the classics & new types alike!
2. Recognize the melody, as opposed to the harmony. The melody is usually the front singer's voice; the harmony will be backround, or side singers, etc. Another good way to tell is the melody is the song itself--the harmony will either be several notes higher, or lower, & have a "different" tune than the melody.
3. Learn what music types/groups/singers have good harmony, & pick up an MP3, or CD, etc.! Such types include, but are CERTAINLY NOT LIMITED TO: 60's classc rock (the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, early classic groups such as the Dixie Cups, The Association...), & late 50's music--Country music (classics such as Brooks & Dunn, Alabama, Diamond Rio, as well as newer groups..Dixie Chicks, Sugarland...)--church choirs (Mormon Tabernacle, Harlem Boys Choir...)--& others where group singing is common.
4. Ask around. chances are you know someone who knows enough about singing, or music, or instrumentals, to show you an example of a harmony. If they can--sing along, till you can match what you're being shown--then sing the song in melody, & learn the difference.

Tips & Warnings

• Duets are a great way to just learn one harmony type at a time, & chances are you can find one of your favorite artists singing one or two of them.
• Many artists, especially those with strong, or unique voices, do their own harmonies often, so listen for them (Dolly Parton, Cher, Reba McEntire, Alanis Morissette, etc).
• If you play an instrument, it will be easy to play a chord (C,E,F), & help you realize that the three notes are all harmonizing together.
• Practice, practice, practice!
• Be careful not to confuse a low harmony (such as bass), with a high harmony (tenor). It doesn't become the opposite harmony just because you lower your voice.
• practice telling the difference, & learn one harmony type at a time.