9605 / 18210 · Workshop 79 — Harmonic Density vs. Melodic Freedom: How Much Harmony Is Enough, When to Leave Space, and How to Avoid “Over-Explaining” Every Note← prev⊞ allnext →
79.36A useful balancing matrix
If one layer is high-density:
reduce another.
Examples:
Busy melody
→ sparse chord.
Walking bass
→ sparse RH.
Static bass
→ richer RH.
Complex rhythm
→ simpler harmony.
Simple groove
→ room for reharm.
This is practical orchestration.