With the explosion of online composition courses on YouTube and platforms like Udemy, self-taught musicians are hungry for structured, academic rigor. Lovelock’s no-nonsense British tone and thorough exercises fill a gap left by oversimplified pop-theory books.
Lovelock is known for his "no-nonsense" style. He provides clear rules but expects the student to put in the manual labor of writing. To get the most out of your study:
William Lovelock's Second Year Harmony is a seminal text in classical music theory, serving as the middle installment of his comprehensive three-part series on harmonic resource. Originally published around 1947, this 136-page guide remains a staple for students bridging the gap between basic diatonic harmony and more complex, expressive musical structures. National Library of Australia Key Focus Areas and Pedagogy
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[First Year Harmony] ---> [Second Year Harmony] ---> [Advanced Composition] - Diatonic Triads - Chromatic Chords - Structural Mastery - Simple Part-Writing - Advanced Modulation - Stylistic Flairs - Basic Progressions - Unessential Notes - Exam Preparation Chromaticism and Altered Chords
Introduction to chords that use notes outside the key signature.
: Moving beyond closely related keys to more distant tonal centers. Chromatic Harmony
Lovelock places a heavy emphasis on writing for specific textures. Students learn to master:
Lovelock frequently warns against "paper harmony"—writing chords that look correct but sound awkward. Sing the alto and tenor lines to ensure they possess a smooth, melodic contour.
The book follows a logical progression from close position harmonies to more open arrangements, emphasizing the spotting of "commonplaces"—melodic progressions that naturally imply specific harmonies. Practical Application:
The curriculum of Second Year Harmony bridges the gap between basic part-writing and complex academic composition. 1. Advanced Modulation Moving to remote and unrelated keys.