Harmony vs Consonance: What’s the Difference?
The difference at a glance
Harmony is the overall simultaneous sounding of notes. Consonance specifically refers to the perceived pleasantness or stability of the resulting interval.
Example sentences are illustrative learning examples, not verified quotations.
What does Harmony mean?
noun · /ˈhɑː.mə.ni/
The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords having a pleasing effect. More broadly, agreement and accord between people, ideas, or things. Harmony is the quality of fitting together well — in music, in relationships, in the world.
Explore HarmonyHarmony in a sentence
The choir's four-part harmony made the small church feel infinite.
They had reached a working harmony — not agreement on everything, but a way of coexisting without friction.
What does Consonance mean?
noun · /ˈkɒnsənəns/
The repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words close together in a text, especially at the end of stressed syllables, creating rhythmic texture.
Explore ConsonanceConsonance in a sentence
'He struck back, black, slack' — consonance on 'ck' creates percussive force.
She noticed the consonance in his poetry — every poem had a dominant sound, like a tuning fork run through it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Harmony and Consonance?
Harmony is the overall simultaneous sounding of notes. Consonance specifically refers to the perceived pleasantness or stability of the resulting interval.
What does Harmony mean?
The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords having a pleasing effect. More broadly, agreement and accord between people, ideas, or things. Harmony is the quality of fitting together well — in music, in relationships, in the world.
What does Consonance mean?
The repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words close together in a text, especially at the end of stressed syllables, creating rhythmic texture.