harmonizing

Harmonizing is the process of creating harmony by combining elements to achieve a coherent whole.

In music, harmonization refers to the practice of accompanying a melody with chords, counterpoint, or other parts to form a harmonious texture. Practitioners decide on key and mode, select a chord progression that supports the melody, and apply voice leading to move individual lines smoothly between notes. Common techniques include diatonic functional harmony, where chords fulfill roles such as tonic, subdominant, and dominant, and chromatic or modal color added through non-diatonic chords. Arrangements may be homophonic or polyphonic, and instruments or voices are positioned with attention to range, rhythm, and spacing. In many traditions, jazz and pop expand harmonization through extended chords, substitutions, and altered tones, while classical practice emphasizes voice-leading rules and careful doubling.

Beyond music, harmonizing also refers to aligning standards, laws, or procedures across different jurisdictions or systems to improve interoperability. This can involve adopting common technical specifications, model laws, or mutual recognition agreements, and is pursued by international organizations and regional blocs to reduce barriers to trade and cooperation.

The process may balance precision with flexibility, allowing local adaptation while preserving compatibility. Critically, harmonization aims for coherence without erasing diversity; in music, it serves expression and structure, while in policy, it facilitates coordination across actors and borders.