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Journals / Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Akademi Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 24

From Melody to Harmony: Principles for Determining Possible Chords from Melodic Structure

Ezgiden Armoniye: Melodik Yapıdan Olası Akorların Belirlenme İlkeleri

Ali Kalkan(ANKARA MÜZİK VE GÜZEL SANATLAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-4973-2785
Pages
1807–1839
Publication Date
2026-10-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Therefore, the same melodic and harmonic relationships can be transferred to different keys by preserving their scale degrees and functions in the harmonization process.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examined the music-theoretical principles that can be used to determine possible chords for a tonal melody.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The study was conducted as a theoretical / conceptual study based on theory synthesis.
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Conclusion & Impact:Therefore, the same melodic and harmonic relationships can be transferred to different keys by preserving their scale degrees and functions in the harmonization process.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Armoni · Melodi Yapı · Akor Belirleme

Abstract

This study examined the music-theoretical principles that can be used to determine possible chords for a tonal melody. The study was conducted as a theoretical / conceptual study based on theory synthesis. The analysis was carried out under four categories: tonality and melodic structure, the rhythmic position of notes and the surrounding melodic notes, the harmonic functions of chords and how they progress, and how these relationships can be transferred to different keys. The findings showed that a note in a melody does not by itself determine which chord should be used. Chord selection also requires consideration of the tonality, the scale degree of the note, whether it occurs on a strong or weak beat, the surrounding melodic notes, and how the selected chord connects to the preceding and following chords. The study also showed that when the key changes, melodic scale-degree relationships and chord functions can be preserved even though note and chord names change. Therefore, the same melodic and harmonic relationships can be transferred to different keys by preserving their scale degrees and functions in the harmonization process.

Özet

Bu araştırmada tonal bir ezgi için kullanılabilecek olası akor seçeneklerinin hangi müzik-teorik ilkelere göre belirlenebileceği incelenmiştir. Araştırma teori sentezine dayalı kuramsal bir çalışma olarak yürütülmüştür. İnceleme dört kategori altında yapılmıştır: tonalite ve ezginin yapısı, seslerin ritmik konumu ve çevresindeki ezgi sesleri, akorların armonik işlevleri ve birbirleriyle nasıl ilerlediği ve bu ilişkilerin farklı tonalitelere nasıl aktarılabildiği incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın bulgularına göre ezgide bulunan bir ses, kullanılacak akoru tek başına belirlememektedir. Akor seçerken tonaliteye, sesin dizi içerisindeki derecesine, güçlü veya zayıf vuruşta bulunmasına, çevresindeki ezgi seslerine ve kullanılacak akorun önceki ve sonraki akorlarla nasıl bağlanacağına da bakmak gerekir. Araştırmada ayrıca tonalite değiştiğinde ses ve akor adları değişse bile melodik derece ilişkilerinin ve akorların işlevlerinin korunabildiği görülmüştür. Bu nedenle aynı melodik ve armonik ilişkiler, armonizasyon sürecinde derece ve işlevler korunarak farklı tonalitelere aktarılabilir.

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Cite This Article

Kalkan, A. (2026). From Melody to Harmony: Principles for Determining Possible Chords from Melodic Structure. Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Akademi Dergisi, Sayı: 24, 1807–1839. https://doi.org/10.47994/usbad.2034316

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