Step 5: Simple Part Songs - (A)

Up to this point in the organic process of learning to harmonize with our family we leaned on traditional forms (rounds and partner-songs) to help develop vocal independence and aural confidence. But when facility had begun to gel with these we arrived at the heart of harmony – the simple part song. Basically, we would define a simple part song as a melody harmonized in the simplest fashion. Depending on age and experience, this might actually be quite a difficult step for some family members (old or young). No longer will every part be melodic (standing on its own) in nature. Two parts will be supportive, creating harmony which enhances the main melody line.

We found our children at about ages 5, 9 and 12 wanted to “play” with singing in much the same ways they played together in the sand box or out on our swing/slide outside in the back. They began to have fun trying things together and imagining new ways of creating harmony as they learned a few 3-part songs (melody + two harmony lines) of different compositional construction. Like introducing a brand new food or game, they started off a bit cautiously but soon entered in wholeheartedly, laughing in delight at moments of solid harmonic success as well as the mistakes of trial and error. In addition – as begins to be more and more the case at about that age, they began to realize they didn’t have to have Brad and I there to do it!

Yonder Come Day is a swaying island song. It’s just 8 bars long and was the first song our children sang in parts without us. Somewhat similar to a partner-song, each of the three parts is simple, repetitive and fits together with the others, harmonically speaking. However, only the melody truly stands alone. The other two parts are harmonizing lines – the high voice is actually a descant and the lower a rhythmic pattern (ostinato.) Many simple melodies can be harmonized in a similar fashion. The first few times, our eldest daughter (Morgan) sang the melody while the other two sang the lower ostinato together. Once our youngest (TJ) was settled and confident on the lower part, Casey (our middle child) could move to the descant on the repeat. It was so much fun to watch them bond over these first moments of musical independence!

Try it out! Below is the pdf, followed by each of the three separate parts and then the composite.

Yonder Come Day Download