Chapter 6, The Four Elements of Music; III. Harmony and Chapter 7, The Four Elements of Music; IV. Tone Color Summary and Analysis

While rhythm and melody are integral parts of music, harmony still remains the most sophisticated element. While rhythm and melody arrived in early times and have evolved naturally, harmony was created primarily through the intellect of scholars, musicians, and composers.

Harmony was largely unknown in music until the ninth century when it first began to appear in treatises. If it was discovered or utilized prior to the ninth century, it was never recorded and therefore not a known element. Previously, all music recorded up to that time consisted of only one melodic line. Some cultures chose not to adopt the element of harmony, however. The continuance of...