Editing Harmony (section)

== Historical rules ==

Early Western religious music often features parallel perfect intervals; these intervals would preserve the clarity of the original [[plainsong]]. These works were created and performed in cathedrals, and made use of the resonant modes of their respective cathedrals to create harmonies. As polyphony developed, however, the use of parallel intervals was slowly replaced by the English style of consonance that used thirds and sixths.{{when|date=September 2014}} The English style was considered to have a sweeter sound, and was better suited to polyphony in that it offered greater linear flexibility in part-writing.

[[File:Bach cello harmony.JPG|center|thumb|upright=1.8|Example of implied harmonies in [[Johann Sebastian Bach|J.S. Bach's]] [[Cello Suites (Bach)|Cello Suite]] no. 1 in G, BWV 1007, bars 1–2. {{audio|Bach cello harmony.mid|Play}} or {{audio|Bach cello harmony chords.mid|Play harmony}}]]