Hi everyone, I just made a PDF version of the Rules for Root Position Chords. This is for anyone who is in a rush, and wants a quick reminder of the rules, before starting the exercise. To access the quick summary, go to Classroom, Rules for Root Position Chords, it is located in the "Extra Resources" tab. The summary will not replace the explanations, which you will find in the shorts tutorial, also located in Classroom, Rules for Root Position Chords, but will allow you to quickly refresh yourself when in doubt. However, the most important action that you must take is to do the work: download the exercises (go to Classroom, French Harmony Exercises), and check your work. That is how you grow. Best of luck, Barney

Hi everyone, I am making a 6-Week Harmony Course for the Absolute Beginner for French Harmony Exercises. This series will allow you to find all the holes in your technique, by focusing on the absolute basics, such as hearing the cadences, finding the bass, and realizing the middle voices. There are 24 lessons in total, with 6 different soprano exercises. There will be 4 lessons per exercise, and homework, so that you can learn the proper way to figure out a French Harmony Exercise. To access, go to Classroom, then 6 Week Harmony Course, then Sample Lesson. I highly recommend watching it once for the flow, and then a second time to analyze the process of finishing a French Harmony Exercise. Best of luck with your work, Barney

One of the biggest problems with 4th species counterpoint is that you will do chains of random suspensions, divorced from harmonic context. Though the skill of working under strident conditions and coming up with the best solution possible is important for fugue, you also need to marry that with making good harmony, otherwise you will not be ready for fugue. Watch this full short tutorial from Preparation for Fugue, Bass Exercise #1, with 4 suspensions. Best of luck with your fugues. -Barney

Hi everyone, I am going to be releasing a new version of Rules for Root Position Chords on YouTube Shorts in a couple of days. I wanted your input on the following: which of these two options makes it easier for you to focus on the information? Option 1: background text is brown. Option 2: background text is yellow. Let me know if you have a strong preference. Best of luck on your harmony exercises, Barney

A few months ago, I released a video on YouTube called "The Danger of Orchestration Classes in America," in which I expose some of the many pesky reasons why composers leave American conservatories without the necessary skillset to orchestrate. I am making a shorts series out of this, you can check out the first one, in which I talk about the need to orchestrate the bass (something I never heard discussed in my very expensive studies in America 😀). Best of luck with your orchestrations, Barney