Minorharmonier

Minorharmonier is a neologism used in music discourse to describe a method of harmonizing melodies in minor keys that foregrounds color and fluid voice leading. It is discussed as a set of practices rather than a fixed theory, emphasizing the distinctive sonorities of minor scales and the ways harmony can support melodic motion.

The term combines “minor” with a stylized form of “harmonizer,” reflecting a focus on how chords and progressions color a minor-key melody. In discussions of minorharmonier, practitioners often highlight modal interchange, the use of borrowed chords from the parallel minor, and cadential approaches that favor tension and resolution beyond conventional major/minor distinctions.

Core techniques commonly associated with minorharmonier include frequent use of borrowed chords from parallel minor, secondary dominants to pivot between colors, and pedal or sustained tones that stabilize the bass while the upper voices explore chromatic color. Stepwise bass lines and careful voice leading are emphasized to maintain melodic integrity and smoothness across progressions.

Usage and reception are largely confined to contemporary composition, online forums, and some music-education resources. The term is not widely recognized as an established concept in formal music theory, and its definitions vary by author or community. It is mainly a descriptive label for a stylistic approach to minor-key harmony rather than a canonical theory.

See also: minor-key harmony; modal interchange; borrowed chords; voice leading.